NJ Teacher Julie Rizzitello Jailed For Preying On Students

An English teacher from New Jersey has been sentenced to prison after being convicted of sexually abusing two of her students.

The 37-year-old educator Julie Rizzitello pleaded guilty to several charges in a Monmouth County courtroom after a lengthy investigation revealed she had engaged in sexual conduct with two male students.

According to prosecutors, she began grooming her first victim when he was a freshman in high school, initiating inappropriate contact while she was in a position of authority over him.

Court filings state that the relationship continued well beyond the school setting, with abuse taking place in multiple locations including at her family’s business and private property.

In a particularly troubling development, authorities said Rizzitello became pregnant by one of the students, then later chose to terminate the pregnancy.

Testimony and evidence presented in court described her actions as manipulative and predatory, violating the trust placed in her as a teacher and mentor.

The judge handing down the sentence said the abuse of minors by someone in a trusted role was especially serious, noting the lasting psychological and emotional effects on the victims.

Rizzitello is expected to serve a significant prison term. Victim support services have been made available, and authorities continue to stress the importance of reporting suspected misconduct involving students.