NJ Middle School Teacher Admits To Sexual Conduct With Student

CHESTER, NJ — A former teacher has admitted to sexual misconduct charges in relation to a student, court documents show.

Lorri A. Willis, 45, from Hackettstown, pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child on Friday.

Willis was arrested on Oct. 20 after an investigation found that between June 2024 and October of this year, she sent several "sexual and suggestive" text messages to her 13-year-old student, police said.

She was initially charged with luring and endangering the welfare of a child, but the luring charge has been dropped, court documents show. She was ordered to pre-trial detention on Oct. 30 before her guilty plea last week.

Willis was employed as a science teacher at Black River Middle School in Chester. School officials announced that she was "released from all her duties” shortly after her arrest.

"The District was recently notified by law enforcement that a Black River Middle School staff member has been arrested," a Chester School District statement read. "We take allegations of inappropriate conduct by a staff member very seriously. At this time, there is no indication that there is any current risk or threat to the District."

Willis is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 6, 2026.