CHESTER, NJ – A Black River Middle School teacher has been charged after investigators said she exchanged inappropriate text messages with a 13-year-old former student over the course of more than a year.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll announced the arrest of 45-year-old Lorri Ann Willis of Hackettstown, who is accused of engaging in sexual and suggestive text conversations with the child.
Authorities said the Chester Police Department first received a report of possible misconduct earlier this month, prompting an immediate joint investigation.
Key Points
- Teacher charged with endangering the welfare of a child and luring in Morris County
- Alleged inappropriate text messages sent to a 13-year-old former student between June 2024 and October 2025
- Willis suspended from her position and detained pending court proceedings
Investigation launched after report to police
Police say Willis, a teacher at Black River Middle School, allegedly began contacting the child after the student left her class, continuing the exchanges for more than a year. The texts reportedly contained sexual and suggestive content, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Charges and detention
Following the investigation, Willis was charged on October 20 with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second-degree luring. Under the state’s Criminal Justice Reform Act, she is being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a court appearance.
School and community response
Officials confirmed Willis has been suspended from her teaching position. The Chester Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit led the investigation. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.
Prosecutor’s statement on charges
Prosecutor Carroll reminded the public that the charges are accusations and that Willis is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
