New Jersey Teacher Arrested on Child Abuse Material Charges

⁣ Updated May 29, 2025
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Axel Palomares, 50, a Morristown, N.J.,‌ resident and ​teacher at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison, was taken into⁤ custody Tuesday on charges related to​ child sexual abuse material. The child abuse investigation involves manufacturing and possessing such material, endangering ⁣a⁢ child’s⁣ welfare,⁣ and invasion of privacy, according⁤ to law⁣ enforcement officials.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office made the arrest based on a cyber‍ tip received from the New‌ Jersey ​State Police. Palomares is ⁢currently held at the Middlesex County Adult⁤ Correctional ​facility pending a ⁣pre-trial detention hearing.

Saint Thomas‌ Aquinas High School released a statement ⁢confirming their cooperation with local, county, and state authorities.​ the school emphasized that student safety is a​ top priority for both the ⁤high school and the Diocese of metuchen.

‌ ⁢ “We are devastated to learn that some of our students’ privacy may have been violated by this sickening conduct,” the statement read.

Following Palomares’ arrest‍ at​ his home, officials‍ executed a search warrant at⁤ the residence. The New ⁤Jersey teacher ​ case⁣ remains an active investigation.

What’s ​next

Authorities urge ⁤anyone with data to contact Detective ‌McGarry of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s ⁤Office at 732-745-3140 as the ‌ child abuse⁤ material investigation continues.