Teacher charged with sexual assault; psychologist arrested

The Cranston Police Department announced the arrest of a Cranston High School West teacher on Thursday for the alleged sexual assault of four female students.

Charles Pearson, 58, a science teacher at West, was charged with 12 counts of second-degree sexual assault stemming from several alleged incidents involving victims from ages 14 to 16 between October 2016 and March of this year.

According to the CPD’s press release, a member of the CHSW administrative staff informed the police of a female student who had “complained of a male science teacher touching her inappropriately.”

The story expanded on Friday when ABC6’s Bianca Buono first reported that a school psychologist knew about the alleged sexual assault of one student since Feb. 1, but failed to report it.

Cranston Police confirmed Tuesday afternoon through a press release that psychologist George Blessing, 48, was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor, “Duty to Report Sexual Abuse of a Child in an Educational Program.”

He was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance and will appear at the Third District Court for a pre-trial hearing on April 18.

Buono’s report also said Police Chief Col. Michael Winquist noted that the CPD has received tips from more potential victims since Pearson’s arrest was made.

Winquist also said Monday that all of Pearson’s contacts around the state are being checked out.

“We are looking into the other contacts he may have had during his employment, at the Cranston School Department and prior,” Winquist said.

Pearson was placed on administrative leave and was released on a $75,000 recognizance. He is not allowed to contact any of the victims and will appear June 1 at the Sixth District Court for his pre-arraignment hearing.