Press Statement: Girl Groomed by Glen Ridge Teacher to File Complaint
Glen Ridge, NJ – May 14, 2025 — This week, after the resignation of former Ridgewood Avenue School teacher Gerald White, Justin L. Drazin of Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. filed notice of claim with the Glen Ridge School Board, Ridgewood Avenue Elementary School, its Principal Michael Donovan, and Superintendent Kyle Arlington, among other public entities, of its intent to file a complaint against the noticed parties on behalf of the family of a Glen Ridge student who White allegedly groomed over a period of nearly four years.
According to the family, White began targeting the girl — referred to as “MOC, a minor” — when she was just 11 years old at Ridgewood Avenue School. What began with handwritten notes and early morning meetings escalated into years of inappropriate emails, texts, voice memos, and obsessive messages, including requests for photos and romantic references involving the child.
The relationship remained hidden until a fellow teacher recently discovered the girl’s journal while cleaning out a classroom. The journal, along with thousands of other communications, was turned over to authorities. Investigations by the Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit (IAIU), local police, and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office ensued. Following the school’s notification, the minor’s family found thousands of additional communications in the child’s possession and turned them over to the local police.
Some of the correspondence found referenced other school staff being aware of the relationship and attempting to intervene, although no report was made to the parents or authorities until the journal was found.
“There should be serious concern as to why this grotesque behavior was not brought to the attention of local law enforcement sooner,” said Justin L. Drazin, the family’s attorney. “One can only wonder if this inappropriate and alleged behavior toward my client is an isolated event. It is our sincere hope that White did not prey on other young students in his care during his tenure in Glen Ridge schools.”
The Glen Ridge School Board’s public meeting on May 13, at which the Board acknowledged White’s resignation, “failed to ease the concerns of the community and to ensure the safety of the students,” said Drazin.
The family, through attorney Justin L. Drazin, is sharing this information in case other individuals have been affected, and encourages others impacted by White’s conduct to come forward.
