A Millburn High School student saw her relationship with a teacher as a father-daughter bond until he took it too far, leading to his arrest last week, court documents show.

Joseph Pedulla, 57, taught the now 17-year-old student her freshman and sophomore years at Millburn High School, affidavit of probable cause shows. She felt comfortable around him and would visit his classroom during her free time to chat, the affidavit shows.

Once she was no longer in his class, Pedulla suggested they text each other using WhatsApp so he didn't need to use his phone number, the affidavit shows. About a month ago his phone broke and they switched to TextFree Web to communicate.

The student grew concerned that Pedulla started to view their relationship romantically. He often said he wanted to kiss her, and on June 10 when stopping in his classroom she realized "things were out of control," the affidavit shows.

"He hugged her and said, 'I want to make love to you,'" the affidavit states of their encounter that day.

The student stopped returning his messages but it did not end there, according to the affidavit. Pedulla would send her lengthy messages that she rarely read and stopped by her class to try to talk to her, the affidavit shows.

He was placed on administrative leave June 14, and was banned from coming to school or communicating with students or staff. After that he still emailed the victim and sent her a flower, balloon, pastry and a note to her home, the affidavit shows.

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A Millburn detective interviewed the victim and two of her friends about Pedulla's actions, the affidavit shows.

Pedulla has taught in Millburn for over 20 years and has a salary of $101,000, records show.

Millburn Superintendent Dr. Christine Burton said the district has been made aware and is working with law enforcement, but declined further comment.

Pedulla remains in custody at Essex County Jail Tuesday and has a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday. He has not yet retained an attorney.

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com