Parents seek answers after investigation into Cranston teacher

Sarah Guernelli and Shaun Towne

44 mins ago

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — As the school year comes to a close, parents in Cranston say they have more questions than answers regarding the investigation into whether a Stadium Elementary School teacher went too far with a young student.

The girl’s mother told Target 12 she was angry and dismayed when she learned what allegedly happened to her eight-year-old daughter on multiple occasions in a classroom.

“He would just call her and pull her away from his friends just to go to his desk and have her sit on his legs so she could see his tablet or computer,” she explained.

“Or, ‘If you hug me, I can let you go.’ As soon as my daughter hugged him, he never let go of her,” the mother added.

The parents of another child said they contacted the school in April with concerns about their student’s grades.

“She said, ‘No, he doesn’t pay much attention to me or the rest of us,'” one parent recalled. “She mentioned that her friend was his favorite student… he always lets her play on his computer and tells her to sit on his lap,” one parent recalled.

But according to the parents’ statements, the teacher was still there at the end of the week; however, the girl’s mother never heard anything from the school authorities.

“(The administrator) knew on a Wednesday, and then Thursday, Friday, and I didn’t hear from her again,” the mother said. “I found out what happened because the other parents told me what happened on Friday afternoon.”

She then called Cranston police, who launched an investigation. Police Chief Michael Winquist told Target 12 that a school administrator notified the RI Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) as required by law.

A detective then interviewed about half a dozen students, all of whom told consistent stories about the teacher.

“(My son) likes his teacher, but he was asked if he had ever seen a child on his teacher’s lap and he confirmed he had,” another parent told Target 12.

However, when police presented the facts of the case to the judge, Winquist said the judge did not believe there was sufficient probable cause to bring charges against the teacher.

“You send your children to school so they can learn and make friends… and you trust those teachers,” the girl’s mother added. “You think they’re safe there.”

One of the parents said the school administration had informed them that the teacher was no longer at the school.

The teacher’s attorney, Kevin Daley, issued a statement saying his client “categorically and vehemently denies all allegations of wrongdoing.”

“The teacher is extremely hardworking and dedicated and is a highly respected educator in the city of Cranston who works tirelessly to promote the well-being of his students,” the statement continued.

The school sent parents a letter at the end of April announcing that a new administrator was taking over. However, it is still unclear whether there will be a permanent change in leadership.

Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse’s office did not respond to Target 12’s inquiries about the letter. When asked about the employment status of the administrator and teachers, Nota-Masse declined comment.

Target 12 also contacted the administrator but received no response.