Teacher, Caldwell Resident Accused of Sexually Assaulting Two More Victims

The Caldwell woman and Maplewood teacher who was charged with sexually assaulting three Columbia High School students has now been charged with sexually assaulting two more male students, bringing the number of victims to 5.

The announcement was made this afternoon by Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Maplewood Police Chief Robert J. Nicole Dufault, 35, of Caldwell was arrested last night where she was originally charged with sexually assaulting three 15-year-old boys from Columbia High School. To see Patch’s original story on this crime, click here.

Dufault is accused of multiple counts of first degree aggravated sexual assault and multiple counts of second degree endangering the welfare of a child. All five of the victims are 15-year-old boys who were students at Columbia High School.

Today Dufault made her first court appearance. She entered a not guilty plead to the charges involving the original three victims. All of the incidents occurred during the regular school year and also during summer school in 2013 and 2014.

Dufault is currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark on $500,000 bail. She has been ordered to have no contact with any of the victims.

Dufault has two minor children who have been removed from her A language arts teacher who has been employed at the school for approximately 9 years, Dufault is accused of having oral sex and vaginal intercourse with the students on school property and in her car on multiple occasions.

The investigation, which is active and ongoing, was conducted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and the Maplewood Police Department. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 973-753-1130.

Counseling and other assistance will be available to students through the South Orange/Maplewood School district. These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Information courtesy of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office