Married New Jersey teacher, 37, who was 'caught having sex with student in car at nature reserve' is released from jail on bail to care for her two small kids

Sawicki shook her head as prosecutor Keri-Leigh Schaefer told the court: ‘The victim quickly put on his pants and the defendant pulled up her skirt'

A married teacher accused of having sexual relations with an underage student has been granted bail to care for her children, amidst revelations that colleagues had previously cautioned her regarding the boy.

Jessica Sawicki, a special needs teacher aged 37, was discovered readjusting her clothing in the back seat of the boy's car on April 7 by a wildlife park staff near Trenton, New Jersey.

During a detention hearing on Wednesday, it was disclosed that Sawicki had acknowledged inappropriate behavior back in January after concerns were reported by staff at Hamilton High School West to the principal.

Sawicki (pictured) and the teenaged student are alleged to have had sex in the teenager's car

Her husband Michael was present in court to witness her release on bail, as she needed to attend to their five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son.

'They don't know where their mom is right now, and it's getting difficult to explain that to them at home,' remarked defense attorney Edward Cridge.

Monmouth County prosecutor Keri-Leigh Schaefer informed the court that Sawicki and the boy were discovered when a New Jersey Fish and Wildlife officer found her vehicle blocking an entrance to the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in Upper Freehold.

Hamilton High School West, where Sawicki taught English, put the teacher on administrative leave after they learned of the investigation

'The lieutenant witnessed the victim's vehicle parked directly behind the defendant's SUV,' she explained.

'Upon approaching the cars, he observed the 17-year-old victim and the defendant in the back seat of the victim's car.

'The victim hastily put on his pants, and the defendant pulled up her skirt.

'This interaction is captured on the lieutenant's body-worn camera footage.'

In a now-deleted school profile, Sawicki expressed her enjoyment in connecting with students.

'This is my 7th year working at Hamilton West teaching English,' she noted.

'I truly enjoy getting to know the students here and helping them become the best versions of themselves while they strive for their futures.'

Following her arrest, the school district informed parents that she had been placed on 'administrative leave' due to the ongoing police investigation.

Brian Smith and Scott Rocco, the respective principal and superintendent at Hamilton High School West, put out a statement that said that the school 'took immediate action' after learning of the investigation. The statement noted that there was 'no indication' that any of the alleged incidents took place on school property

'The alleged incident goes against our professional standards as a school district and is far removed from the expectations we have for the personal conduct of an employee,' wrote principal Brian E Smith.

'We have zero tolerance for any actions that harm or could potentially harm our students.

'The actions of one staff member do not represent the hard work and dedication of our entire community.'

However, Schaefer informed the court that Sawicki had already been put on administrative leave in January after disregarding a warning from Smith regarding appropriate 'boundaries'.

When questioned about the time she spent with the student, Sawicki admitted to giving him gifts, preferential treatment, and passes to skip class, Schaefer mentioned.

Sawicki had taught the boy's older brother previously, who had asked her to look out for him due to his troubled background and academic struggles.

Jessica Sawicki (pictured), 37, an English and special needs teacher at a New Jersey high school has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a student

She shared phone numbers with the boy when he was a junior and had met him at Assunpink Lake approximately ten times by his senior year, with half of those meetings involving unprotected sex or other sexual activities, Schaefer told the court.

'As the adult in the situation, as a teacher at the high school, she was in a position of power and authority over this child student,' the prosecutor stated.

'And she used that position of power and authority to begin a relationship with him.'

Nevertheless, Sawicki's attorney pointed out that the student had refused to cooperate with the investigation, describing his relationship with the teacher as 'affectionate' rather than impulsive or predatory.

'Her husband is present today in the courtroom,' he observed.

Sawicki and the student are alleged to have had several trysts in the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, a nature preserve

'Obviously, this is a difficult thing for any couple to go through, but he's here in support of his wife, in support of their family.'

Superior Court Judge Richard W English agreed to release her on bail from Monmouth County Jail under the condition that she has no contact with the teenager and no unsupervised contact with minors other than her own.

Sawicki faces charges including five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 30.