FREEHOLD -- A mother of two and a former special education teacher at Freehold Intermediate School was sentenced Friday, Aug. 28, to 12 years in state prison for engaging in sex with a 15-year-old male student over the course of six months in 2024.
Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 45, of Jackson, was charged that summer after a criminal investigation into her conduct, at which point authorities uncovered more than 25,000 text messages between her and the eighth grader, including an exchange of photos and video that confirmed the sexual nature of their relationship. Prosecutors had said that Havemann-Niedrach was "obsessed" with the teen.
She pleaded guilty in January to a single charge of aggravated sexual assault before state Superior Court Judge Jill G. O'Malley. Havemann-Niedrach had been indicted on seven counts, including endangering the welfare of a child, endangering the welfare of a child by way of the manufacture of child sexual abuse materials, official misconduct and sexual assault. The additional charges were dropped as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.
The victim and his mother addressed the court before O'Malley sentenced Havemann-Niedrach, telling the judge that it remains extremely difficult for him to concentrate and keep up with his grades. When he started high school after Havemann-Niedrach's arrest in September 2024, many other students had made the link between her and him, making it a challenge for him to maintain friendships and his subsequent high schools years have been difficult.
Exclusive: Second student sues OCVTS, alleges sexual assault by teacher
He described the experience as "like a nightmare," was unable to sleep and would not want anyone to endure the pain he has experienced.
"For two or three years, I thought it was my fault," he told the court. Nonetheless, "I forgive her for what she did," he said.
That last statement caused Havemann-Niedrach, who was seated in an empty jury box feet away, to break down.
"I apologize profusely for my actions," she said in her own statement. "I am moved by his forgiveness."
Speaking through a Spanish-to-English translator, the victim's mother also spoke and told the judge that what happened to her son should not happen to any child and she hoped justice would be done.
Judge reveals: Freehold Township HS teacher's wife turned him in on child sex charges
If there was anger in the courtroom, it came from the judge, who did not mince words when the time came to sentence Havemann-Niedrach.
"You are his trauma. You ruined him," O'Malley said, raising her voice. She noted that the victim had contemplated suicide in the summer of 2024, when he finally revealed what had happened to him, asking his mother to forgive him.
The judge said Havemann-Niedrach had groomed the boy months before the relationship became sexual. In the fall of 2023, she started to show up at his sporting events and his place of work, bringing him food and buying him gifts, including a sex toy. Eventually, she came up with a cover story to dampen suspicions about their relationship — that he was dating her daughter.
When he didn't return her text messages promptly or appeared to be losing interest, she threatened to report him to the school administration.
"This is not a single episode of abhorrent behavior," O'Malley said.
Financial cost: Long Branch schools to pay $3.75M to settle sexual assault lawsuits
O'Malley praised the courage of the victim for coming to the courtroom to face the woman who had taken advantage of her position and authority, and abused him in an environment that is supposed to be a safe place for every child.
Nine out of 10 adult victims were unable to do what he did in her courtroom Friday, O'Malley said.
Havemann-Niedrach must serve 85% of her sentence before she is eligible for parole, which means she will remain behind bars until at least 2036. After being released from prison, the former middle school teacher will be subject to parole supervision for the rest of her life and required to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law. Her teaching certifications have also been revoked.
More on this story: Freehold special education teacher accused of sex with 8th-grader freed from jail
Staff at Freehold Intermediate grew suspicious about Havemann-Niedrach's relationship with the student when she was observed bringing the student food and eating lunch with him daily in a classroom. One teacher witnessed Havemann-Niedrach rubbing the victim's back and neck, and touching his leg — describing the interaction as flirtatious.
In June 2024, a vice principal recommended that police be notified about the staff's suspicions. The boy's mother would tell investigators that she had become concerned about her son. He had been seen by his sister sitting in the teacher's car and was always on his phone late into the night.
Investigators later learned that the victim had confided in a friend that he was "dating a teacher."
Middletown North: 'Coach of the Year' gets prison for sex with student
The teen initially denied there was anything improper going on between them and claimed — per the cover story — that he was dating Havemann-Niedrach's daughter. He later admitted to his mother that he had been in a sexual relationship with the teacher. Concerns over his mental health resulted in him being taken to a hospital for evaluation.
The victim then told investigators that their sexual relationship began around January 2024, taking place at both the teacher's house and at hotels, which investigators were able to corroborate, using cellphone data and bank records.
In addition to the sentence, O'Malley ordered that Havemann-Niedrach never seek to contact the victim nor his family ever again.
Wall High School: Ex-teacher sentenced in student sex case was impregnated by victim, judge reveals
Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Judge jails Freehold teacher for sex with student: 'You ruined him'