Marlboro Middle School

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

A former New Jersey special education teacher who was cleared of harassment charges stemming from a hallway interaction with a student is now suing the girl’s parents, school officials, and others, saying false accusations ruined her career and reputation.

Jenna Sciabica, a 16-year veteran teacher, filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on Thursday, Nov. 6, claiming that a brief, innocent moment in a school hallway in March 2024 was twisted into a criminal case that led to her suspension, resignation, and public shaming.

In April 2024, Sciabica was charged with one count of harassment-offensive touching, a petty disorderly persons offense, in connection with the March 13 incident at Marlboro Memorial Middle School, as previously reported by Daily Voice. That November, she was found not guilty following a bench trial.

“The destruction of Sciabica’s career began with a brief, innocent interaction in a school hallway on March 13, 2024… which was deliberately distorted, fabricated, and weaponized by individuals seeking financial gain at the expense of an innocent teacher’s life and livelihood,” the lawsuit reads.

The complaint, filed in response to a lawsuit brought by the student’s family in Spring 2024, says the incident happened around midday as Sciabica passed her student, identified only as L.T., in the hallway. She asked how the student was feeling after being sick and made a lighthearted comment about a dance dress fitting that had happened the week before at the girl’s home — something the mother, had allegedly invited her to help with.

During that fitting, which the mother attended, the lawsuit says the dress was too loose in the chest, and Sciabica helped adjust it with the mother’s approval. The mother even joked about the situation, saying, “Oh shut up [L.T.]. Who cares? They’re tits!” according to the filing.

In the hallway a week later, Sciabica made a reference to that fitting, asking, “What did mom decide? How are we getting these boobalas in the dress?” while lightly tapping the student’s upper chest area twice with her fingertips, the suit says.

“The entire physical contact lasted no more than a second or two,” the filing says, adding that the student “giggled, stomped her feet playfully, and continued down the hallway smiling.”

According to the lawsuit, another teacher who was nearby but behind the student, reported to police that Sciabica “groped” the girl with two hands, a claim Sciabica calls false and “completely contradicted” by security footage.

Sciabica says the report led to her suspension, public humiliation, and eventual resignation — twice. She lost her tenure, pension, and benefits, and says she received death and bomb threats after being labeled online as a “predator,” “groomer,” and “pedophile.”

The lawsuit says the damage came at one of the hardest times in her life, just months after the death of her longtime partner, Anthony Alfano, following a five-year cancer battle.

“This betrayal adds a particularly cruel dimension to the already unconscionable conduct that has robbed Sciabica of her career, reputation, financial security, and mental health,” the complaint states.

Sciabica is suing Marlboro Township Public Schools, several district administrators, Municipal Prosecutor Pasquale Menna, the Township of Marlboro, Wendi and Salvatore Turturici, their attorney, Nima Ameri, and several community members accused of spreading false statements online. Two insurers — State Farm and Republic-Franklin Insurance Company — are also named for allegedly denying coverage.

Daily Voice has reached out to Marlboro Schools Superintendent Michael Ballone for comment.

Sciabica’s lawsuit claims the incident not only destroyed her career and reputation but also violated her civil rights. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages, back pay, pension restoration, and legal fees. She is also requesting a jury trial and an official clearing of her name.