A pre-kindergarten teacher’s aide in South Jersey is now facing serious criminal charges involving young children, according to police in Atlantic County, New Jersey. Authorities say Shaun M. Stebbins, 43, of Somers Point, NJ, was arrested on March 29, 2026 following an investigation into alleged sexual abuse involving multiple child victims.
According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, the charges against Stebbins are extensive and involve children under the age of 13.
He has been charged with:
- First-degree aggravated sexual assault of a child
- Permitting a child to engage in pornography
- Photographing a child in a sexual act
- Endangering the welfare of a child
- Showing obscene material to a minor
- Criminal sexual contact
What Happened in the South Jersey Child Sexual Abuse Case
Investigators say the alleged conduct spans more than a decade, from 2014 through 2025, and involves multiple victims. Authorities also allege that he created and possessed child sexual abuse material.
At the time of his arrest, Stebbins was working as a pre-k teacher’s aide at Woodbine Elementary School, a role that gave him direct access to young children. He is currently being held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending a detention hearing. Prosecutors have also warned that there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. As with all criminal cases, these are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
A Sexual Abuse Case That Raises Bigger Questions
Cases like this hit hard, especially for parents. But beyond the charges themselves, there’s usually a bigger question underneath all of it: How did this go on for so long?
When someone is working inside a school, especially around young children, there are supposed to be layers of protection in place. Background checks, supervision, reporting systems all of it is designed to prevent exactly this kind of situation. When allegations span years, it often leads to questions about whether warning signs were missed or whether proper procedures were followed.
Legal Options in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
In cases involving child sexual abuse in New Jersey, the focus is not always limited to the individual charged. There are situations where schools, organizations, or institutions may also be examined if there were failures in supervision, reporting, or protecting children.
For families, that usually leads to a few key questions:
- What exactly happened
- Could this have been prevented
- Who else may be responsible
Understanding those answers can be an important step forward.
Our Experience Handling Child Sexual Abuse Cases
At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we have handled cases involving child sexual abuse and institutional failure. These are not easy situations. Families are often dealing with shock, anger, and many unanswered questions. Our team includes former prosecutors who understand how these cases are built and investigated. That experience carries into the civil side, where the focus shifts to uncovering the full story and identifying all responsible parties.
In many cases, the responsibility does not stop with one person. If your family has questions about a child sexual abuse case in South Jersey or Atlantic County, it’s important to talk to someone who has handled these cases before. Understanding your options starts with getting the right information.
**This blog does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is crucial to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case.