Guilty of Child Molestation: Jury Took Five Hours to Return Verdict

EAST GREENWICH, RI—A Kent County Superior Court jury today found George Tabora guilty of child molestation, according to state Atty. Gen. Peter Kilmartin. Tabora, 54, of East Greenwich, was charged with two counts of second degree child molestation. His victim was a boy who was 7 and 8 years old, respectively, at the time of the two incidents.

The child was known to Tabora, Kilmartin's office said.

The case developed when the victim’s mother feared the defendant had physically abused her son, Kilmartin's office said. She contacted the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center seeking assistance and guidance. An advocate at the Center reported the possible abuse to the state Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF).

"In the course of the investigation," Kilmartin said, "the victim was examined by physicians at the Aubin Child Protection Center at Hasbro Children’s Hospital and subsequently started mental health counseling. The victim, who suffered nightmares and lived in fear the defendant was going to hurt him, disclosed the molestation to his counselor."

The youngster provided a formal recorded interview about the incidents at the Children's Advocacy Center at Day One. Tabora was later arrested.

His trial lasted five days. The jury returned the verdict after five hours of deliberations.

Superior Court Justice Brian P. Stern ordered Tabora to be held without bail. Sentencing is scheduled fo March 31.

East Greenwich Police Detectives Kerrie Mazur and Bryan McManus led the investigation and Assistant Attorney General Stephen Regine prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.

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