A student looking to earn some extra credit wound up becoming the victim of a sex assault by her Catholic school teacher, say prosecutors in New Jersey.
Lawrence Township Police arrested Notre Dame High School teacher Edmund Harman at his Franklin Township home Monday afternoon after learning of an alleged incident with a student in February, said the Mercer County Prosecutors Office.
The girl went to Harman’s classroom to earn some extra credit before school, said prosecutors. Harman, 26, fondled the girl’s breasts, kissed the back of her neck and massaged her back and legs then told the student to send him naked photos of herself, said investigators.
Harman, who teaches kinesiology at the school according to his LinkedIn page, was charged with three counts of child endangerment and one count of criminal sexual contact and a judge set bail at $150,000, said prosecutors. It wasn’t clear Tuesday if he had posted bail nor if he had gotten an attorney.
"We are deeply concerned about allegations that have been made against a Notre Dame High School teacher this week," said the school in a statement. "We are fully cooperating with the Lawrence Township Police Department and with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office with regard to the investigation. The Notre Dame Administration has placed the faculty member on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation."
Investigators didn't reveal how the assault allegations came to light.
County and local investigators called the investigation ongoing and asked anyone with more info to contact Mercer County Prosecutor’s Det. Ahmad Mansur at 609-989-6568 or Lawrence Police Det. Todd Caruso at 609-896-1111.
