Newport Police arrest juvenile after alleged assault of special needs student

NEWPORT, R.I. (WLNE) — The Newport Police Department said a juvenile was arrested in connection with the assault of a special needs student at Rogers High School.

The 16-year-old suspect was charged with assault on persons with severe impairment.

Police said that they were made aware of several cell phone recordings of the assault in the boys’ locker room at the school.

Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain also announced that the school’s football season had been cancelled due to the videos.

Her full statement can be read below:

Late last evening, Newport Public Schools became aware of a video depicting unacceptable student behavior in the boys locker room at Rogers High School. It has been brought to our attention that before football games, there is somewhat of a practice that includes “roughhousing” and players hitting each other. One of the players took this to an extreme level that is entirely unacceptable.

Even more disturbing, the video we have seen shows other players not intervening, or bringing this matter to the attention of an adult. At this time, the RHS football team has met with the building principal, coach, and athletic director. The football season is ended as of today. The JV scrimmage scheduled for Thanksgiving Day is cancelled. This is a serious matter and there is no grey area when it comes to behavior like this. Those involved will face appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with our district policies. Back in the day, it may have been okay for some locker room “roughhousing”, but today it is not, and our athletes need to understand as leaders, as athletes, and as representatives of our community, that this behavior will never be tolerated at Newport Public Schools.

The department also asked for anyone with further information to contact 401-845-5772 or email cpoplawski@newportri.gov.