UPDATED: Teacher at Providence School Arrested on Charges of Having Sex With Student

UPDATED: Teacher at Providence School Arrested on Charges of Having Sex With Student

A teacher at a Providence public school has been arrested for having sex with an underage female student. 

GoLocal had learned that a warrant was issued for the arrest of Francis Castillo of Fall River, Massachusetts, who had taught at Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College. 

Castillo, age 35, will be arraigned on third-degree sexual assault charges for allegedly having sex with a 16-year-old girl at the school.

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Providence Police Detectives Major David Lapatin confirmed that Castillo is currently in custody in Fall River and will be extradited for a court appearance in Rhode Island on Friday. 

 

School Finally Issues Comment

School principal Tammy Ferland, a former assistant principal in Smithfield and Cranston, has repeatedly refused to respond to press inquiries over the past week.

GoLocal finally received a response from the school after the story was published.

According to Pamela L. McCue, Chief Executive Officer of RI Nurses Institute Middle College said in a statement:

On May 2nd, 2023, the Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College learned of allegations of misconduct against an employee. We immediately reported the allegations to the Providence Police, the Department of Children, Youth and Families, and also reported the allegations to the Rhode Island Department of Education. At that time, we began an internal investigation that is ongoing. The individual is no longer employed at the school as of May 5th.

After an investigation by the Providence Police Department, this individual was subsequently arrested.

Our daily operations center around the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We are committed to that remaining our utmost priority. As this is an ongoing and active investigation, we cannot comment any further on the specifics of the matter. Our student support services team is ready to assist any student who may feel the need to speak to a mental health counselor.

 

Providence police tell GoLocal they have been in contact with the school and DCYF.

This story is developing…