UPDATE: Cranston West school counselor faces judge

By: News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

WARWICK, R.I. —The school counselor at Cranston West who allegedly failed to report sexual assault allegations was arraignment Tuesday in Third District Court in Warwick.

Cranston police say one of the alleged victims went to 48-year-old George Blessing for help, but Blessing did not report it to police.

The science teacher Charles Pearson is facing three sexual assault charges, but Blessing was also charged for his role in the case.

Police say Blessing was aware of the allegations for months and never reported it.

Blessing was tight lipped when he was leaving Kent County Court on Tuesday.

The school counselor at Cranston High School West appeared before a judge as he was arraigned for “duty to report sexual abuse of a child in education” which is a misdemeanor charge.

This charge comes after bombshell allegations last month as at least three female students between 14 and 16 accused science teacher Charles Pearson of touching them inappropriately.

Authorities say one of the alleged victims told Blessing about the sexual abuse on February 1st, but police were no notified by the school until March 24th.

The law requires the reporting of sexual abuse claims within 24 hours, but Blessing waited weeks before informing police what he knew during which at that time police believe another alleged assault took place. 

Pearson and Blessing are currently on leave from Cranston West until the ending of the results of their criminal cases.

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