Crime
Police say there is no indication that any students were involved or harmed.
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Kingston police investigating alleged ‘sexualized’ TikTok convo involving school employee
Police say that the Kingston school district employee who was allegedly involved in an hour-long “sexualized conversation” with someone posing as a 15-year-old female on TikTok was found dead in Rhode Island.
Kingston and Plympton police announced Tuesday that the employee of the Silver Lake Regional School District involved in the incident had died.
Investigators launched the case Thursday after receiving a TikTok video that allegedly showed the male employee engaging in a “sexualized conversation” with someone posing as a 15-year-old girl.
After learning that the man lived in Plympton, where he likely recorded the video, Kingston police transferred the case to Plympton authorities.
Police from both departments then worked with the Silver Lake Regional School District, TikTok, and members of the public to gather additional evidence.
Additional information, including a 1-hour uncut version of the video, culminated in the decision to pursue arrest and search warrants at the man’s house.
However, before being able to get those warrants authorized by the courthouse, the Plympton Police Department was notified by the Rhode Island State Police that the man was found dead.
The State of Rhode Island will retain jurisdiction of the death investigation. Police say no foul play is suspected.
At this point, police have not found any information leading them to believe that the former employee victimized any students.
“Although this closes a portion of the investigation, the investigation remains ongoing to ensure no other victims exist,” the statement said.
Superintendent Jill Proulx and School Committee Chair Gordon Laws told families in a Monday letter that all staff undergoes criminal background checks. However, “a background check cannot reveal behaviors that may occur in the future.”
Proulx said the district has not received any reports of inappropriate conduct involving students. The district had already fired the employee and barred him from campus.
“It is natural for students to feel upset by this news,” she wrote, adding that student safety remains the district’s top priority.
Beth Treffeisen is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on local news, crime, and business in the New England region.
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