Special Ed Teacher From Plainville Charged With Child Molestation

PLAINVILLE, MA — A special education teacher from Plainville was arrested for allegedly molesting underage girls at the Providence Place Mall.

Matthew Labriola, 35, was arrested July 12 and charged with five counts of second-degree child molestation and one count of second-degree sexual assault, and three misdemeanor counts of simple assault, according to the Providence Journal.

The victims, all girls between the 12 and 14 years old, told police that a man intentionally bumped into them, groping their breasts and shoulders in the process. Labriola was located on an escalator by a mall security guard who noticed that the man fit the description given by the girls.

Laborite pleaded not guilty in Providence District Court to the charges Thursday. He was ordered held on $20,000 surety bail.

Labriola, a special education teacher at James Madison Morton Middle School in Fall River, has been placed on administrative leave.

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