A former middle school teacher in Gloucester County, New Jersey, has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a student, authorities announced Thursday (March 26).

Ashley A. Fisler, 36, of Washington Township, faces eight charges, including six counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor, one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of second-degree official misconduct, stemming from an alleged sexual relationship with a student in 2021.

According to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, Fisler was a teacher at Orchard Valley Middle School in Sewell, New Jersey, when the alleged abuse occurred. Court documents say the victim described multiple sexual encounters in 2021, taking place both in Fisler's car and inside her classroom. Investigators later found text messages between Fisler and the victim that they say confirmed the sexual nature of the relationship.

The investigation began on January 23, when the victim, now an adult, came forward and reported the alleged relationship to police. The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Special Victims and High-Tech Crimes Units, along with the Washington Township Police Department, led the investigation.

Fisler is no longer employed as a teacher in Washington Township or anywhere else. She was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Salem County Jail.

If convicted on all six first-degree sexual assault charges, Fisler could face up to 20 years in prison for each count. The second-degree charges each carry a maximum of 10 years.

Eric M. Hibbs, superintendent of Washington Township Public Schools, addressed the charges in a statement, saying: "The district is aware of the charges announced by the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office regarding a former middle school teacher. We take matters involving the safety and well-being of our students extremely seriously. The individual referenced is no longer employed by the district and separated from employment in April 2023. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and will continue to do so. Because this is an active criminal matter, we are unable to comment further at this time."

The news rattled parents and neighbors near Orchard Valley Middle School. Eric Sebastian, a parent of students at the school, told WTXF: "Scary, you know you hear about it in Florida or somewhere. This is too close to us, literally right across the street." Neighbor Olivia Axelrod, who lives across the street from the school, called the allegations "horrible," adding: "Honestly it's unbelievable to even think that could happen and also nobody saw it."