‘A former New Jersey special education teacher and mother of two has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually abusing a 15-year-old student.
Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 45, broke down in tears in court as her victim delivered an emotional statement before she was sentenced on Friday.
The teenager told the court that his months-long relationship with the former teacher was “like a nightmare” and revealed that he spent years believing what happened was his fault.
“For two or three years, I thought it was my fault,” he said.
He, however, told the court that he forgave Havemann-Niedrach for what she did, prompting her to burst into tears.
Havemann-Niedrach pleaded guilty in January to sexually assaulting the student over a six-month period in 2024 when he was in eighth grade.
Prosecutors said she had become “obsessed” with the teenager and allegedly sent him about 25,000 messages.
Authorities began investigating after concerns were raised about her relationship with the student. Prosecutors said another teacher allegedly witnessed inappropriate physical contact and flirting between them.
The boy’s mother also reportedly became suspicious after noticing changes in her son’s behaviour.
During sentencing, State Superior Court Judge Jill G. O’Malley condemned Havemann-Niedrach’s actions, telling her: “You are his trauma. You ruined him.”
The court heard that the abuse caused the teenager to consider taking his own life before eventually revealing the relationship to his mother.
Havemann-Niedrach must serve at least 85% of her sentence under her plea agreement. She will also be required to register as a sex offender, while her teaching certifications have been revoked.
The judge further ordered her never to contact the victim or his family again.