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The husband of a Queens middle school teacher accused of raping a 14-year-old boy claimed to The Post on Wednesday that she’s innocent — as prosecutors revealed disturbing new details, including that the mom of three allegedly regularly abused the student inside her car.

Melissa Rockensies, a 33-year-old teacher at Corona Arts and Sciences Academy, was flanked by her husband as they were spotted arriving at their Massapequa home Wednesday morning — some 24 hours after she was arrested on rape and other charges.

“My wife is innocent. She’s the mother of three kids. She loves them very much,” said her husband, William Rockensies.

“She’s been a big part of the community at her school. We all support her. We’re saying she’s innocent. I won’t elaborate any further why.”

Melissa Rockensies, who was released without bail at her arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on Tuesday evening, wouldn’t comment as she carried a baby inside the home. She has pleaded not guilty.

Rockensies allegedly started sending the victim sexually explicit messages via social media in July last year, when she was one of his summer school teachers and counselors, prosecutors said.

Melissa Rockensies, a 33-year-old teacher at Corona Arts and Sciences Academy, was spotted returning to her Massapequa home Wednesday morning. Brigitte Stelzer
Rockensies has been charged with rape, criminal sexual act and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old. Brigitte Stelzer


  Rockensies was released on her own recognizance after her arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on Tuesday evening. Brigitte Stelzer Rockensies was released on her own recognizance after her arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on Tuesday evening. Brigitte Stelzer

The alleged sexual abuse started two months later when Rockensies began meeting the boy in her car near the school, according to the criminal complaint against her.

She is accused of having sex with the alleged victim in the car “at least once a week” from October last year until last month, the complaint said.

Investigators obtained screenshots of Instagram messages Rockensies had allegedly exchanged with the underage boy that detailed their sexual relationship, according to prosecutors and law enforcement sources.

Authorities were alerted after Rockensies allegedly went to her principal in early July to report that the student had threatened to shoot her and her kids if she didn’t cough up $5,000, police sources said.

It wasn’t clear if Rockensies told the principal why the male student was allegedly trying to extort her.

The boy — who no longer attends the school — then allegedly tried to get into the building on July 12 with two of his friends but was turned away by cops, the sources added.


  Her husband, William Rockensies, professed her innocence outside the couple’s home Wednesday. Brigitte Stelzer Her husband, William Rockensies, professed her innocence outside the couple’s home Wednesday. Brigitte Stelzer

Days later, the student emailed the principal and assistant principal screenshots of his allegedly sexually explicit conversations with Rockensies and accused her of having sex with him, according to the sources.

The principal subsequently reported the accusations to the city Department of Education, the sources said.

“These disturbing allegations represent an abuse of authority and a betrayal of the trust students and parents place in their schools,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement Wednesday.

“On behalf of the victim and his family, and the overwhelming majority of teachers committed to the education and well-being of our children, we will seek to achieve justice in this case.”


  Rockensies, a mom of three, was a teacher at Corona Arts and Sciences Academy. Facebook Rockensies, a mom of three, was a teacher at Corona Arts and Sciences Academy. Facebook

Rockensies has been slapped with charges of rape, criminal sexual act and acting in a manner injurious to a child less than 17 years old.

If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison.

The charges come after Rockensies ironically shared a Facebook post in October 2021 that highlighted how to make her “kids understand consent.”

The post, which included an infographic, advised adults to ask if a child would like to hug a relative — rather than demanding the affection.

It also advised parents to make it clear to their kids that they shouldn’t keep secrets from their family.  


  Rockensies ironically shared a Facebook post in October 2021 that highlighted how to help “kids understand consent.” Facebook Rockensies ironically shared a Facebook post in October 2021 that highlighted how to help “kids understand consent.” Facebook

Rockensies, who earned about $85,000 last year, was reassigned from the school pending the outcome of her case, a DOE spokesperson said.

“This alleged behavior is extremely concerning and wholly unacceptable,” the spokesperson said.

“This employee has been reassigned away from the school and students pending the outcome of the arrest and if convicted, we will pursue termination. Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our students.”

Rockensies is due back in court November 24.

Additional reporting by Larry Celona

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