NJ HS teacher accused of pushing foot fetish on female student

MANSFIELD — A social studies teacher at Northern Burlington County Regional High School has been accused of sharing his foot fetish with a teen girl and threatening to kill himself if she told anyone.

Edward Del Russo, 43, faces charges of third-degree child endangerment and fourth-degree cyber-harassment through lewd, indecent or obscene material and fourth-degree abuse by debauching the morals of a child, according to a criminal complaint obtained by New Jersey 101.5.

In messages sent over the span of a month, Del Russo told the girl about “his desire to be crushed as though he were one inch tall, by a foot,” the complaint said.

Investigators also said that Del Russo told the girl about kissing "the feet of females who were passed out during college."

When the student said she did not understand and was not interested, Del Russo said “do not mock it until she tries it,” police said in the complaint.

The girl suffered severe anxiety and pressure due to keeping the teacher’s secret, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed June 2. The student wound up needing therapy and medication, investigators said.

Repeated requests to school district administrators about the employment status of Edward Del Russo — who also has served as a boys bowling coach for the school — were not answered as of Wednesday.

Court records did not list an attorney for Del Russo. New Jersey 101.5 did not know whether he had legal representation as of Thursday so that he could be reached for comment.

It's not the only criminal matter involving someone who worked with Northern Burlington High School.

Cody Melton resigned from the wrestling program following legal trouble stemming from an incident last year.

The former coach surrendered to Lawrence Township police on Aug. 16 and was charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual contact, according to a police report obtained by the Courier-Post through an OPRA request from the Lawrence Township Police Department.

The report did not say whether the charges against Melton involved a student or the school. Most of the information in the arrest report, including details of the alleged assault, was redacted, the Courier-Post reported.

Erin Vogt is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach her at erin.vogt@townsquaremedia.com.

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