FREEHOLD – Nearly seven years ago, Allison Havemann-Niedrach was named one of the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore’s 2017 Phenomenal Women Under 40. Today, at 43, she faces a very different reality. Released to home detention, Havemann-Niedrach is charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
The charges come from her time as a special education teacher at Freehold Intermediate School. Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Danielle Zanzuccki highlighted the severity of the allegations at a detention hearing before Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano.
Havemann-Niedrach, represented by defense attorney William Wackowski of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, was informed of her rights and the charges against her. She has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
In early June, the Freehold Borough Police Department was alerted by the school’s vice principal about a potentially inappropriate relationship between Havemann-Niedrach and an eighth-grade, 15-year-old student. Reports indicated that she had been bringing the student food, eating lunch with him daily, and had been seen touching him inappropriately.
“The victim told a friend that he was dating a teacher,” said Zanzuccki. “Another teacher reported that she witnessed the defendant rubbing the victim’s neck and back area in a circular motion and that she appeared to be flirting with him and noticed her touching his leg.”
At that point in time, the victim’s mother was notified by the police department about the allegations. She expressed concerns, revealing that her daughter had seen the victim sitting in the teacher’s car and that he had been on the phone late at night. When the victim initially came to the police station, he denied any inappropriate relationship with the defendant, claiming instead that he was dating the defendant’s daughter.
A consent form was signed to examine the victim’s cell phone, which revealed over 25,000 text messages between him and the teacher, including multiple deleted messages that were recovered. Several days later, the victim’s mother contacted the police again, stating that her son was scared after turning over his phone. He eventually admitted to her that he had been in a sexual relationship with the teacher.
In subsequent interviews at the police department, the victim indicated that the sexual relationship with Havemann-Niedrach began in January 2024.
“He indicated that there were oral, vaginal, and anal sexual relations and that these occurred at her house,” said Zanzuccki.
Concerns about the 15-year-old’s mental health resulted in a hospital visit for evaluation to ensure his personal safety.
“This was so much for this kid that he ended up having a mental health crisis in the middle of the investigation,” Zanzuccki told the court. “I would submit that she’s obsessed with this child.”
The victim requested that the police keep his cell phone, as he did not want any further communication with his former teacher. The victim believed surrendering his phone was the only way to stop the communication.
While the state has not yet reviewed all the messages on the victim’s phone, an initial examination revealed explicit texts, photos, and videos.
“There are photographs of a sexual nature passed between the two,” Zanzuccki said. “As well as a video of them engaging in sexual conduct.”
According to Zanzuccki, the victim has also alleged that the teacher took him to a hotel. She indicated there is evidence that Havemann-Niedrach booked a hotel room, and the location services on the victim’s cell phone appear to confirm he was in the vicinity of the hotel, as he claimed.
Defense attorney Wackowski argued against the state’s request for pretrial detention, emphasizing Havemann-Niedrach’s lack of a criminal record and her deep roots in Jackson. He noted that she had resigned from her teaching position and remained in the area despite knowing about the investigation, suggesting she was not a flight risk.
According to her attorney, Havemann-Niedrach, who is married with two young children aged five and twelve, had her husband and parents present in the courtroom to support her.
“If Your Honor would see fit to release her with conditions, she would reside with her parents in Jackson,” said Wackowski. “She provides her parents with a lot of care. They’re in their mid to late 80s, and they need her help. They will gladly accept her into their home.”
Zanzuccki countered, citing the nature of the crime and Havemann-Niedrach’s efforts to manipulate and control the victim. She argued that Havemann-Niedrach posed a risk to the community and could obstruct the criminal justice process if released.
In deciding to release Havemann-Niedrach to home detention at her parent’s residence, Judge Falcetano indicated that she did not face charges that would mandate detention under state law. Additionally, Havemann-Niedrach had no previous charges, and there was no evidence suggesting she posed a threat to the public.
“Clearly, this is a very, very serious and disturbing offense,” said Falcetano. “I don’t have the vocabulary to describe how serious and disturbing it is. It’s predatory. It breaches trust; it crosses the line.”
“She was a special education teacher,” Falcetano said. “And should have known that that line is even closer than it is for a regular teacher.”
Falcetano released Havemann-Niedrach to her parent’s home without electronic monitoring. She was instructed to avoid all contact with the victim and other minors. Additionally, the judge barred Havemann-Niedrach from using computers capable of accessing social networks or contacting minors. Any breach of those restrictions, including communication with the victim via phone, email, regular mail, or any other means, will lead to her immediate re-incarceration.
The state was to submit the names of additional individuals the judge may consider restricting Havemann-Niedrach from contacting. Her next court appearance is scheduled before Superior Court Judge Jill Grace O’Malley on August 8.
