West Orange Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to Sex With Student

The West Orange High School teacher charged with having a sexual relationship with one of her students was arraigned Wednesday in Superior Court in Newark. 

Erica DePalo, 33, of Montclair, pleaded not guilty to who attended her honors English class at the high school, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.  

DePalo, who was chosen as the , is facing charges of first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. 

Representing DePalo is Anthony Alfano. In a , Alfano said Depalo "maintains her innocence.”

"There has been an outpouring of support for Erica over the past few days from people that know her and have been associated with her over the years,” said Alfano in a previous interview. 

Her next scheduled court date is Oct. 22. 

Her relationship with the student began around July 15 and ended Aug. 28, according to the prosecutor’s office. 

She was arrested on Aug. 31 by the prosecutor’s office and was charged in Newark at the Veterans Courthouse. She immediately posted bail of $100,000 and was released later that day.

DePalo began her tenure at the high school in 2003. She was an English teacher and was also the junior varsity tennis coach at the school. 

In a statement released shortly after her arrest on Aug. 31, Interim Superintendent James O’Neill wrote that DePalo "immediately and indefinitely" by the district.