News Summary
Yaritza Martinez, a behavioral specialist at Lillian Feinstein Elementary School, was arrested after reportedly biting a 6-year-old student during a disagreement about painting. The child’s visit to the school nurse revealed bite marks, leading to police involvement. Martinez has been charged with simple assault and is on paid leave. The school’s principal emphasized commitment to student safety following the incident. A second employee has also been placed on leave for unprofessional behavior. The case remains under investigation with future court dates scheduled.
Providence – Yaritza Martinez, a behavioral specialist at Lillian Feinstein Elementary School, was arrested on September 5 after allegedly biting a 6-year-old student during a disagreement about painting. The incident reportedly took place in Martinez’s office, away from witnesses, as the child was reportedly throwing paint across the room when the altercation occurred.
The child’s visit to the school nurse revealed a bite mark on his back and scratches on his neck, prompting a report to the police by the school’s principal, Maria Petrosinelli, approximately one hour after the incident. As a result of these allegations, Martinez has been charged with simple assault or battery and is scheduled for a pre-trial conference on November 7.
Following the incident, Martinez was placed on paid leave according to district policy. She turned herself in to police and has been instructed not to make any contact with the involved student. After her arrest, she was released from custody. Meanwhile, Principal Petrosinelli communicated with families in a letter emphasizing the school’s commitment to student safety and well-being. While the letter referred to the incident as a breach of professional standards, it did not specifically name Martinez or detail the biting allegation.
In addition to the incident involving Martinez, a second school employee has also been placed on leave for unprofessional behavior in an unrelated matter, although the specifics of this situation have not been disclosed. To support affected students and families, the school’s administration has activated its Student Support Services team.
Martinez has been employed with the Providence school district since 2021. The incident has drawn significant attention and raised concerns about staff behavior within the school environment. Principal Petrosinelli has stated that inappropriate conduct by staff members is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. As part of standard protocol for incidents involving minors, Rhode Island’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families has been notified about the situation.
The case remains under investigation, with the next court date for Martinez set for November. At present, her attorney has not provided any public comments regarding the charges or the ongoing legal proceedings.
The community continues to seek clarity and reassurances regarding the measures being taken to protect the wellbeing of students while upholding the integrity of the educational environment at Lillian Feinstein Elementary School.
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Additional Resources
- Turn to 10 News
- Wikipedia: School Violence
- ABC 6 News
- Google Search: Providence school staff behavior
- GoLocalProv
- Google Scholar: Staff Unprofessional Behavior in Schools
- Boston Globe
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Teacher
- WPRI News
- Google News: Rhode Island School Behavior
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
