Providence middle school teacher faces 2 counts of child molestation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence middle school teacher was arraigned Thursday on two counts of child molestation.

In a statement, a spokesman for Providence schools said the teacher was employed at Esek Hopkins Middle School and had inappropriate contact with two students.

The spokesman said the district learned of the allegations in December and the principal immediately contacted police and Teno was subsequently placed on administrative leave.

“We take these allegations and the safety of our students extremely serious and took swift action to ensure the person in question had no further contact with students,” read a portion of the statement from the district.

Providence police identified the teacher as 51-year-old Joseph Teno.

According to court records, Teno appeared in court Thursday and was released on personal recognizance and was ordered to have no contact with the victims.

No attorney was listed for Teno.