A New Jersey high school teacher has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student, authorities said.
Jennalin Garcia-Calle, a 28-year-old algebra teacher at Plainfield High School, was arrested Thursday in Davie, Fla., and charged with second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree child abuse.
According to prosecutors, Garcia-Calle began the relationship with the 16-year-old boy in December. Prosecutors allege that at least three sexual encounters occurred in a classroom inside the school.
"The boy is not at a stage in his life where he's able to make that type of legal and quite frankly mature enough decision," said Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow.
Authorities became aware of the alleged relationship after the student told a family member what had happened. Students at the high school said the boy also bragged about the relationship to classmates.
"They both knew what they were doing, they both knew they were wrong," said senior Imani Campbell.
Prosecutors said Garcia-Calle realized her relationship with the boy had been discovered, prompting her to check into a rehabilitation center in Florida, as well as send the boy messages asking him to erase certain evidence. U.S. Marshalls traced those messages and arrested Garcia-Calle.
She is being held without bond in Florida, awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
The Plainfield Board of Education has placed Garcia-Calle on an administrative suspension.
Information on an attorney for Garcia-Calle was not immediately available.
