Teacher who won award for being ‘cool’, ‘repeatedly molested student, 17’
A teacher who was once named her school’s ‘coolest’ staff member repeatedly sexually abused a student from when they were 17, police say. Bridget Sipera, 36, allegedly molested the youngster repeatedly and in various locations after meeting them while working at Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Sipera, who taught special education students and lacrosse, is accused of targeting the youngster between January 2019 and March 2020, and was arrested Wednesday. The alleged victim’s gender was not disclosed, with Sipera said to have admitted her crimes after she was arrested.
The age of consent in New Jersey is 16, but adults in a position of authority can be charged with molesting teens in their care aged 18 or younger.
A 2013 Facebook post uncovered by the Cherry Hill Courier-Post revealed Sipera was once named ‘Camden Catholic High School’s coolest teacher’. Sipera was also garlanded as Coach of the Year by the Women’s Lacrosse Club of South Jersey last year.
A school spokesman said Sipera’s employment was ‘terminated immediately’ when news of her alleged sex abuse came to light. The spokesman added: ‘Camden Catholic High School will be cooperating fully with local law enforcement.’
Sipera has been charged with sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, and could face further counts as the investigation progresses. She was being held in Camden County Jail Wednesday night ahead of her first court hearing.
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