State Police Investigating “Inappropriate Posts” About Underage Girls Allegedly Made by RI Teacher

State Police Investigating “Inappropriate Posts” About Underage Girls Allegedly Made by RI Teacher

Rhode Island State Police are investigating a report of “inappropriate” social media posts made by a middle school teacher. 

The unnamed teacher at Birchwood Middle School in North Providence reportedly made posts with underage female students’ faces - and “derogatory” wording.

He is currently on administrative leave as State Police investigate. 

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GoLocal spoke with North Providence Police Chief Al Ruggiero regarding the situation. 

“It’s a State Police investigation. They’ve been very good with sharing information,” Ruggiero told GoLocal. “State Police were alerted Tuesday of some inappropriate posts - pictures and posts and derogatory wording from a teacher at the school, while in the capacity of working as a teacher during the school day.”

“The state police have identified and met with this individual who has retained a lawyer," said Ruggiero. “State police this afternoon did go to the school to advise faculty and parents. There are three female students that had their faces posted along with inappropriate body parts.”

Ruggiero urged families to discuss the matter. 

“Any parent - sit down and talk with your child this afternoon,” he said. “If there’s been any inappropriate contact with this teacher, please come forward and let us know, we’ll pass it along to the State Police.”

North Providence Police can be contacted at (401) 231-4533.

 

School Message to Families 

On Thursday, Birchwood Middle School Principal Brian Gilmore sent a statement to the school community regarding the development (see below).

Dear Birchwood families - 

I was notified by law enforcement of alleged inappropriate conduct of a staff member at our school. Law enforcement has informed me and stressed that based on the information they currently have no Birchwood student was unsafe. 

The parents of the students that law enforcement may have been impacted have been notified. 

However the investigation is ongoing. The staff member was not present in school today and has been placed on indefinite administrative leave. 

Please be assured that we take student safety seriously and will take appropriate conduct whenever necessary.

Gilmore said he “did not have any information to share at this time” when reached Thursday afternoon.