Cranston school psychologist arrested for failing to report sexual assault allegation

According to a press release from the Cranston Police Department, Colonel Michael Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, announces the arrest of a Cranston West High School psychologist George Blessing, age 48, of 80 Midland Drive, Cranston, RI for failing to fulfill his legal obligation to report to authorities that a female student had disclosed to him that she had been sexually assaulted by a teacher.

On March 24th, 2017 the Cranston Police Department received a complaint from the Cranston West High School Administrative Staff indicating that a female student had reported that a male science teacher had assaulted her. After a comprehensive investigation, the teacher, later identified as Charles Pearson, was subsequently arrested for 2nd degree sexual assault (twelve counts). An investigation revealed that the same student had previously reported the assault to a school psychologist identified as George Blessing on or about February 1, 2017. It is alleged Mr. Blessing failed to report these allegations of sexual assault and did not divulge this information until the victim and Mr. Blessing was approached by school administrators and detectives on March 24, 2017. The Cranston Police Special Victims Unit investigated the alleged sexual assault and learned that there were three (3) additional victims. The alleged female victims range from fourteen to sixteen years of age. The alleged sexual assaults took place in the Cranston West High School between October 2016 and March 2017. One of the sexual assaults took place on or about March 16, 2017, weeks after the first student had reported the alleged sexual assault to Mr. Blessing.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Mr. Blessing, who turned himself in at Cranston Police Headquarters this afternoon. He was arraigned by a bail commissioner on a misdemeanor charge of “Duty to Report Sexual Abuse of a Child in an Educational Program.” He was released on $1000 personal recognizance and scheduled to appear in the Third District Court for a pre-trial hearing on April 18, 2017.

Colonel Michael Winquist stated, “Mr. Blessing is alleged to have failed to perform his legal obligation to report serious criminal allegations that were brought to his attention by a student seeking his assistance. The fact he is a trained psychologist employed in a school setting, makes his decision not to report the allegations perplexing and simply inexcusable. His failure to act delayed both the administrative and criminal investigation for several weeks, during which time another student was allegedly victimized. The intent of the law requiring reporting of sexual abuse within 24 hours is clearly designed to prevent what appears to have occurred in this case. ”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sergeant Lori Sweeney (401) 477-5037, Detective Michael Iacone (401) 477-5062, or Detective Dan Lee (401) 477-5188 of the Cranston Police Department Special Victims Unit. You may also contact us through our smartphone app, or anonymously through “TipSoft” at http://www/tipsubmit.com/webtipsstart.aspx