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Maplewood, NJ Teacher Indicted On Charges Of Having Sex With Male Students

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A northern New Jersey high school teacher accused of having sex with several male students is now facing a 40-count indictment.

Essex County authorities says Nicole DuFault  is charged with aggravated sexual assault and child endangerment for allegedly engaging in sex acts with six victims.

Authorities say all of the boys were between 14 and 15 years old at the time the alleged incidents occurred on multiple occasions in 2013 and 2014. They say some of the sex acts occurred on school property and in DuFault's car

The indictment, handed up by a county grand jury, was made public Tuesday.

The 35-year-old Caldwell resident had been a language arts teacher at Columbia High School for several years before she was arrested last September. She remains free on $500,000 bail.

In a letter to parents, South Orange/Maplewood Acting Supt. James G. Memoli and Columbia High School Principal Elizabeth Aaron said the school is taking precautions for students who might have been affected.

"The CHS administrative team, guidance counselors, student assistance counselors, school social workers and teachers are actively supporting students and staff impacted by events," the letter said. "If your child is showing signs of stress in reaction to the events or the investigation, please reach out to his or her guidance counselor or a member of the administrative team."

The letter said Aaron addressed the whole school and asked the school community to focus on teaching and learning despite the distraction. The principal refused to speak with CBS2.

Dufault is the mother of two boys ages 2 and 4 who are now in state custody, CBS2's Weijia Jiang reported in September 2014. Her husband moved out last year, Jiang reported.

Her next court appearance is schedule for March 6.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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