News Summary
Yaritza Martinez, a behavioral specialist at Lillian Feinstein Elementary School, was arrested after allegedly biting a 6-year-old student during an altercation. The incident occurred after the child threw paint, leading to a confrontation in Martinez’s office. Following the incident, the student reported injuries, prompting a police investigation. Martinez has since been placed on paid leave, and concerns have been raised about school communication protocols regarding student safety. A second teacher at the school is also under investigation for unrelated behavior issues.
Providence, RI
Yaritza Martinez, a behavioral specialist at Lillian Feinstein Elementary School, was arrested on simple assault charges following an incident involving a 6-year-old student. The arrest took place on September 5, 2025, after allegations arose that Martinez bit the student during an altercation.
The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. in Martinez’s office, which was not visible to any witnesses. According to court records, the conflict began when the student threw paint across the room after being prohibited from painting. Following the altercation, the student reported to the nurse’s office displaying signs of having been bitten and scratched on the neck.
Shortly after the incident, police were notified and investigations were launched. Local authorities, including the Providence Police and the Department of Children, Youth and Families, were alerted as part of the protocol following incidents involving minors.
After the allegations were filed, Martinez turned herself in to the police department. Since then, she has been placed on paid leave. The school’s principal, Maria Petrosinelli, communicated with the school community in a letter that outlined her commitment to the safety and well-being of students, labeling the incident as a serious violation of professional standards. The principal emphasized that this incident was isolated and that no other students were involved.
In response to the situation, the guardian of the affected student was not informed until after school dismissals, raising concerns over the school’s communication protocol in crisis situations. Martinez has been employed by the Providence School District since 2021, and as of now, she faces a pre-trial conference scheduled for November 7, 2025.
In addition to Martinez’s case, a second teacher at Lillian Feinstein Elementary School is currently under investigation for unrelated unprofessional behavior, indicating broader issues within the school environment. As these situations develop, the school is expected to uphold its standards and address any violations to maintain a safe learning atmosphere for all students.
This incident has raised questions about the measures in place for handling behavioral issues in educational settings and how schools ensure the safety of their students. Increased scrutiny on reporting protocols and the professional conduct of educators may follow as more details are revealed in the upcoming court proceedings and investigations.
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Additional Resources
- GoLocalProv: Providence Schools Employee Arrested
- Wikipedia: Behavioral Specialist
- ABC6: Providence Teacher Arrested
- Google Search: Providence Schools Incident
- Turn to 10: Behavior Interventionist Accused
- Google Scholar: Behavior Intervention in Schools
- Boston Globe: Providence Teacher Bites Student
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
- WPRI: 3 Arrested After Incident
- Google News: Lillian Feinstein Elementary School
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.
