NJ Teacher Facing Charges After Doing Drugs With and Sexually Abusing Student

An art teacher from a New Jersey high school is facing charges for taking drugs with a student she sexually abused. 

Christine Knudsen, 44, is charged with second-degree sexual assault against a victim between the ages of 16 and 17, one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child in a sexual manner, and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child through non-sexual abuse.

According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s office, the graphic arts teacher engaged in sexual activity student at the Fair Lawn High School, where she worked. She also provided and ingested “controlled dangerous substances with the student.”

No information about the student was made public. 

Fair Lawn Public School’s superintendent Nick Norcia said in a letter obtained by PEOPLE that the charges originate from an incident that took place “several years ago.” To the district’s knowledge, no current students were involved. 

“We do not understand there to be any allegations of current misconduct, and law enforcement has made clear that it does not consider any current students at risk of harm, in any way,” he wrote.

Knudsen was booked into the Bergen County Jail without bond after her arrest on Thursday.