A 14-year-old male student was reportedly subjected to rape and sexual abuse by a female teacher in Queens, according to law enforcement officials.
Melissa Rockensies, 33, was arrested on Tuesday, marking the second consecutive day in which a Queens educator faced arrest due to alleged inappropriate involvement with a student.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said: “These disturbing allegations represent an abuse of authority and a betrayal of the trust students and parents place in their schools. On behalf of the victim and his family, and the overwhelming majority of teachers committed to the education and well-being of our children, we will seek to achieve justice in this case.”
Rockensies, a married middle school teacher at Corona Arts and Sciences Academy, had previously shared a post on Facebook discussing ways to help young individuals comprehend the concept of consent, as initially reported by the New York Post.
Police have detailed that Rockensies is now facing charges including rape, engaging in a criminal sexual act, and behaving in a manner that could harm a child under 17.
According to the charges:
- Between July 1, 2022, and August 31, 2022, Rockensies was the dean at Corona Arts & Science Academy and one of the victim’s summer school teachers and counselors.
- Beginning in July 2022, Rockensies engaged the 14-year-old victim in sexually related conversations via social media.
- In September 2022, Rockensies began to meet with the victim on a regular basis inside her vehicle near the school, where she engaged him in sexual activity.
- The investigation revealed social media messages between Rockensies and the victim that discussed the sexual relationship.
Rockensies’ husband is standing by his wife, saying she’s innocent of the allegations.
