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Credits: The Associated Press
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West Orange High School Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to Charges in Newark Court
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 • 11:54pm
WEST ORANGE, NJ- Erica DePalo pleaded not guilty to first degree aggravated sexual assault, second degree sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child in Newark Superior Court on Wednesday, September 12. DePalo was charged on Friday, August 31, 2012 with having an illegal sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male student she taught in her Honors English class at West Orange High School. The alleged involvement began on or about June 15 and continued until August 28.
DePalo, 33, of Montclair, will now await her next court date, which is scheduled for October 22. Her attorney is Anthony Alfano of Lyndhurst.
She is currently suspended as a teacher at West Orange High School, where she taught English and Honors English since 2003. Her outstanding teaching abilities led to her award as Essex County Teacher of the Year in 2011.
