MAY 11, 2023

NEWS RELEASE

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP TEACHER/COACH ENTERS GUILTY PLEA STEMMING FROM FAILURE TO REPORT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

SOMERVILLE, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives John W. Fodor announced that on May 10, 2023, Ranait Griff, a former teacher, and coach entered a guilty plea to an amended disorderly persons offense of failure to report child abuse.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that defendant Griff upon entering a guilty plea admitted that she knew a student at a private educational institution in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey was involved in a relationship with another teacher and that she did not report it. The plea agreement involves probation and a stipulation that defendant Griff will no longer teach or coach anyone under the age of 18.

Prosecutor McDonald stated defendant Matthew Rennie was arrested on October 6, 2021, after a 17 year-old female victim reported to Franklin Township Police that she was sexually assaulted by teacher/coach Matthew Rennie, who was employed at a private educational institution in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. The victim was interviewed by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit and Franklin Township Police Department. As a result of this investigation, the victim disclosed incidents that occurred in Montgomery Township and East Amwell Township (Hunterdon County) from July 2021 to September 2021.

As a result of this investigation, it was also determined that Ranait Griff, a female teacher/coach at the same school was aware of the sexual relationship. Defendant Griff was arrested by detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department without incident at the Franklin Township Police Department.

Defendant Rennie was indicted for 2nd degree Sexual Assault and 3rd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Defendant Griff was indicted for 4th degree Failure to Report Child Sexual Abuse.

Defendant Rennie entered a guilty plea to the charges on May 6, 2022, and was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending an evaluation. After a hearing on the results of that evaluation was held, the defendant was scheduled for sentence. On March 17, 2023, defendant Rennie was sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison. He is subject to the registration and reporting requirement of Megan’s Law and the conditions of Parole Supervision for Life. Defendant Rennie is prohibited from teaching or coaching anyone under the age of 18 and must continue psychotherapy.

Prosecutor McDonald and Chief Fodor request anyone with information relating to the sexual assault to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes Unit (908) 231-7100 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.