RI School Employee Accused Of Inappropriate Behavior Towards Student

WEST WARWICK, RI — An employee at a West Warwick elementary school was accused of participating in inappropriate behavior with a student, school officials said.

In a letter sent Monday to parents and staff at Maisie E. Quinn School, Superintendent Karen Tarasevich said they began investigating an employee last week as soon as allegations were brought to the district's attention.

"Upon receiving this information, the employee was immediately escorted off school property and
placed on leave," Tarasevich said in the letter. "Any allegations by a student of this nature are disturbing and are taken seriously by the district. The district is taking these allegations very seriously."

Tarasevich did not name the employee placed on leave or give details about the allegations, "out of respect for the student and their family."

The superintendent said school officials and West Warwick police are conducting a joint investigation, which will take time. Tarasevich said the process will be as transparent as possible and include a final review by the school committee.