A teacher from Queens, New York City, was seen smiling as she left court with her husband by her side after being accused of raping a 14-year-old student and sending him sick messages.
Melissa Rockensies, 33, appeared before Judge Pandit-Durant for a hearing in Queens Supreme Court on Wednesday with her attorney, Brian Griffin.
She is accused of rape, sexual acts and conduct harmful to a child under 17.
Rockensies of Massapequa walked out of the courtroom with her husband, William, smiling. She was dean of the Corona Arts & Science Academy and one of the teachers and counselors at the victim's summer school.
Melissa Rockensies, 33, appeared before Judge Pandit-Durant for a hearing in Queens Supreme Court on Wednesday with her attorney, Brian Griffin.
Rockensies walked out of the courtroom with her husband William, smiling
The teenager, who did not want to be identified, previously told police New York Post that Rockensies began caring for him shortly after she started working as a teacher at his school last year.
He claims the mum-of-three started messaging him on Instagram, sending a string of lewd messages, including one that read: 'I'll moan about you all day long.'
The 14-year-old, a student at Corona Arts and Sciences Academy, told the outlet he felt like Rockensies had “taken advantage of him because of his age.”
He said their communication began after he started emailing her about an issue with another child at school and that he had felt “comfortable with her.”
'I was vulnerable with her. I'm smart, but I don't make good decisions. I work impulsively. “If someone says, let's do something, I would say, 'Let's do it,'” he said.
Over the course of nearly a year, the victim claims she sent the depraved message in between caring for her children.
She is charged with rape, sexual acts and conduct harmful to a child under 17 years old.
The teen, who did not want to be identified, told the New York Post that Rockensies began grooming him shortly after she started working as a teacher at his school last year.
In September, after reportedly exchanging hundreds of emails, the pair began messaging on Instagram, with Rockensies eventually suggesting they meet in person, the teen claimed
In a text exchange obtained by the New York Post, the teen claimed that Rockensies allegedly wrote, “You'll be lucky if I put this kid to sleep.”
In another text seen by the outlet, Rockensies allegedly wrote, “I want you so bad and now I have to start reading children's books like…wtf.”
She also allegedly wrote to the boy: “Study your technique and I will moan for you all day and all night, daddy” and “I want to be able to kiss those lips of yours.”
In September, after reportedly exchanging hundreds of emails, the pair began messaging on Instagram, with Rockensies eventually suggesting they meet in person, the teen claimed.
He told the outlet that the couple went for a walk in the park after she went to the grocery store, where she was accused of hugging the boy “really close” and then asking her to “kiss him.”
'This came out of nowhere. I didn't expect it since she said she has a husband and all. It felt weird like I had to hug her back. I hugged her. I kissed her. That's how it started.'
The alleged sexual abuse lasted until late May or early June, the teen claimed, and typically took place in her car before and after school.
“She would tell me where to go to meet her, where the car is parked,” he claimed, saying she tried to meet him every day except Wednesday when “she had to watch the kids.”
“Every time we met we had sex,” he claims, adding that she would allegedly give him gifts such as money and nicotine devices.
William Rockensies (left) claims his wife Melissa is 'innocent' of charges leveled against her after her arrest
'Usually she (gave) me money. The most she ever gave me was $500,” he said.
Last month, the teacher claimed the teen had threatened to “extort” her and accused him of saying he would “shoot her and her kids” if she didn't pay him $5,000. It is unclear whether Rockensies revealed why the student blackmailed her.
The student has denied these accusations, saying that he was banned from Instagram after skipping summer school and that someone else messaged her from his account.
After the threats were reported, the teen said he went to authorities and showed them their explicit messages. The teen's grandmother told the New York Post that she was “disgusted by the abuse.”
'They make him out to be a monster, but he isn't. The victim is my grandson,” she said, noting that she planned to send him to therapy.
'He's underage. She's old enough to know better.'
After Rockensies arrested her husband, William defended the 33-year-old, who he says is 'innocent'.
The couple was seen leaving their Massapequa home together on Wednesday, following her hearing in Queens Criminal Court on Tuesday.
Both remained silent as they got into their car to leave their home after Rockensies were seen bringing a baby into the property.
She was a dean and teacher at the school at the time of the charges and has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape in the second and third degrees, criminal sexual act in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child.
Speaking to the New York Post her husband said, 'My wife is innocent. She is a mother of three children. She loves them very much.
“She was a big part of the community at her school. We all support her. We say she's innocent. Why don't I elaborate further.'
Judge Anthony Battisti ordered the defendant to return to court on November 24, with the teacher facing a seven-year prison sentence if convicted. She was released without bail.
District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “These disturbing allegations represent an abuse of authority and a betrayal of the trust students and parents place in their schools.
The teacher reportedly earned around $85,000 last year, with a Department of Education spokeswoman confirming that Rockensies no longer works at the school.
“On behalf of the victim and his family, and on behalf of the vast majority of teachers who are committed to the education and well-being of our children, we will seek to achieve justice in this case.”
Rockensies previously served as dean of Leadership and Student Support at the high school and attended various educational facilities events with parents and students.
Worryingly, social media posts show her message about helping children understand 'consent' from last October.
It advised that children should not keep secrets from their families, and that they should respect their answer if they say 'no'.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the alleged rape took place on or off campus, with married Rockensies posting about how emotional she was losing her class of 2023 — calling herself a “proud college mom.”
The teacher reportedly earned around $85,000 last year, with a Department of Education spokeswoman confirming that Rockensies no longer works at the school.
In a statement they said: 'This alleged behavior is extremely worrying and completely unacceptable.
“This employee has been reassigned to the school and students pending the outcome of the arrest and if convicted, we will pursue dismissal.”
“Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our students.”