Teacher on Trial for Kidnapping Boy

(Nashua, New Hampshire) Last June, 32-year-old married mother of two sons, Jennifer Malone, disappeared from her home in Canterbury along with her 8-year-old son and a 16-year-old boy she met at a school where she worked as a counselor. Jennifer's husband, Rodney Malone, discovered that his wife and one son were missing on June 16 and that the family bank account was drained.

Subsequently, a nation-wide search found Malone and the boys in Florida. Ultimately, all three were returned to New Hampshire. In August, Malone was indicted on a kidnapping charge with bail set at $50,000. Her parents made bail and she was released. In September, Malone was arrested again for violating her bail conditions by trying to contact the boy.

Today, Jennifer Malone's kidnapping trial got underway.

From SeacoastOnline.com:

Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Justin Shepard acknowledged it wasn't a typical kidnapping case, but said Jennifer Malone took advantage of a vulnerable teen she should have been supervising.

"This case is about a 32-year-old woman enticing, befriending and seducing a 16-year-old boy," said Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney Justin Shephard. "But for the sex, he wouldn't have gone to Florida."

Malone is charged with kidnapping Christopher Cole, of Nashua, whom she met while working as a teacher's assistant at Mount Prospect Academy in Plymouth. She also took her 8-year-old son Brennan when they ran away.

The defense is expected to counter the prosecution by arguing that the boy had his own reasons for leaving New Hampshire. Specifically, he was a juvenile offender on probation who had tested positive for drug use.

Malone's trial should conclude this week.


[Update 12/21/06]

After a mere 90 minutes of deliberation, a jury found Jennifer Malone, 33, guilty of kidnapping. Sentencing is expected within 30 days.


[Update 02/14/07]

Malone sentenced.