NJ Teacher Accused Of Having Student's Baby Has 'Spotless' Background, Attorney Says

MIDDLE TWP., NJ — The South Jersey teacher accused of sexually assaulting her child student and having his baby was defended as having a "spotless" background by her attorney.

John Tumelty, the lawyer representing Laura Caron, said that his client's "good, wholesome family upbringing" was proof that she should not be held in jail at her detention hearing earlier this week. Tumelty argued that these factors meant that she was not a flight risk.

Caron had "not even a tiny bit of contact with law enforcement in 34 years," Tumelty said.

"Her background as a teacher is impeccable," he said. "Not one complaint."

The judge allowed Caron to be released from jail on conditions that she not contact the victim or his family. Caron, on leave from her job as a fifth grade teacher in Middle Township, was also ordered to have no contact with any minors other than her 5-year-old daughter. Tumelty noted that the Department of Child Protection and Permanency has an active case regarding her daughter, whose father is alleged to be the victim.

Tumelty added that Caron's arrest was made before there was any DNA investigative work done in this case.

"There is no DNA, no medical evidence, no physical evidence, no microscopic evidence, no fibers, no nothing to back up the allegations made," Tumelty said.

However, the victim's siblings confirmed to authorities that they had witnessed Caron and the victim engaging in sexual acts. They lived with Caron from 2016 to 2020. Caron's mother also lived with them, according to Tumelty. Read more: New Details: NJ Teacher Lived With Student Who Fathered Her Child

The victim told multiple people, including authorities, that he was the father of Caron's child. He had texted his sister at one point admitting to being the child's father, but asked her to keep it a secret so Caron wouldn't get in trouble, according to documents obtained by Patch.

Caron's next appearance in court is scheduled for Feb. 25.