WEYMOUTH, Mass. (WHDH) — Police have arrested a Weymouth middle school employee on sexual assault charges.
Janelle Foley, 36, is a cafeteria worker at Chapman Middle School and has been charged with four counts of statutory rape on a 15-year old boy.
The incidents occurred on at least two different occasions. At a holiday party before Thanksgiving the alleged assault included oral sex. On New Year's Eve the alleged assault included intercourse.
The victim was not a student at the Weymouth school where Foley works, but was a friend of the family.
“This defendant and the victim’s mother have known each other since high school. Between them they have numerous children, the children have all grown up together and participate in many school activities together, participate in many holiday parties together and are together extensively," a prosecuting attorney said.
Defense attorneys said she suffers from drug issues and depression. She entered a not guilty plea at Quincy District Court Thursday morning and was released on $5,000 bail.
Foley has been placed on administrative leave, according to Weymouth Public School Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Salim.
“We are taking this matter very seriously and working closely with authorities,” Salim said in a statement.
Officials are also investigating prosecutors’ claims that she was sexually involved with another teenager.
Her friends say she was a great mother to her four children.
“She’s a great person, great mother great with the sports, cheerleading and all the day. She’s a great lady,” Richard Coleman said.
School officials reached out to parents with an automated message to let them know that an incident happened off school property and that the employee had been placed on administrative leave.