Garfield Art Teacher Arrested for Sexual Assault of Minor Student

A 46-year-old art teacher from Garfield has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage student in NJ. Amy Dovidio, a married woman from Pompton Plains, faces multiple serious charges related to alleged sexual misconduct with a minor student.

Details of the Allegations

According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Dovidio is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a student between the ages of 13 and 17 while employed as a teacher in the Garfield School District.

The alleged sexual assaults occurred multiple times at various locations, including:

• Inside Garfield Middle School
• At a private residence in Cedar Grove
• In a parked vehicle at locations across Bergen, Essex, and Passaic Counties

Criminal Charges Filed

Dovidio faces several serious criminal charges, including:

• First-degree aggravated sexual assault
• Second-degree sexual assault
• Second-degree endangering the welfare of a child
• Third-degree aggravated criminal sexual contact
• Fourth-degree criminal sexual contact

As of the time of her arrest, Dovidio was being held at Bergen County Jail pending her first court appearance.

Timeline of Events

• February 10, 2024: Garfield police contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit after receiving a report of a teacher engaging in sexual conduct with a student
• February 2024: An investigation was launched into the allegations
• September 27, 2024: Dovidio was arrested and charged

H2: Impact on the School CommunityThe Garfield School District has not yet commented on Dovidio's current employment status. Board of Education records show she was hired as a salaried art teacher at Garfield Middle School in 2012 and had previously served as a substitute teacher in the district.

Resources for Survivors of Abuse

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse by a teacher or other authority figure, there are resources available:

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): www.rainn.org
• New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault: www.njcasa.org

Legal Commentary From Our Team of Attorneys

Laura McLaughlin, Esq., a New Jersey attorney specializing in sexual abuse cases, provided the following commentary: "Cases involving sexual abuse by teachers are particularly disturbing due to the breach of trust and the power imbalance between educators and students. Survivors of such abuse may be entitled to pursue both criminal and civil legal actions. Civil lawsuits can help hold schools accountable for negligent hiring or supervision and provide compensation for the long-term impacts of abuse. Survivors must know that they have rights and options for seeking justice."

If you or a loved one has experienced sexual abuse by a teacher or other school employee, it's important to speak with a qualified attorney to understand your legal rights and options.

Source:

https://nj1015.com/nj-garfield-teacher-accused-sexually-assault-middle-school-student/