Elementary School Teacher in Rhode Island Facing Charges Over Alleged Assault of Special Needs Students
CUMBERLAND RHODE ISLAND, A Rhode Island woman and teacher is accused of assaulting special needs students.
According to police, on February 11, 2026, Cumberland Police Department personnel responded to Blackstone Valley Prep, 310 Broad Street in Cumberland, following a report that a teacher allegedly assaulted two separate special needs students by slapping them in the head while at the elementary school located at 52 Broad Street. School officials were reportedly alerted to the situation late in the afternoon the previous day and contacted the police department early the next morning.
During the investigation into these complaints, the family of a third victim came to Police Headquarters to report another similar incident involving the same suspected teacher. After reviewing the allegations and working with the Aubin Child Protection Center, authorities prepared and obtained an arrest warrant for 39-year-old Djamila Vaz Rosa of Pawtucket.
Police said Vaz Rosa is facing three counts of second-degree child abuse, all of which are felony charges.
Vaz Rosa later turned herself in to Cumberland Police on Wednesday. She was arraigned before a Justice of the Peace and later released. Authorities also stated that Vaz Rosa has no prior criminal history.
Cumberland Police Chief Matthew Benson addressed the situation, stating that students should feel safe in schools and classrooms with those responsible for their care and education. He said that in this case that expectation was not met.
Chief Benson also expressed appreciation to the staff at Blackstone Valley Prep for notifying police when they became aware of the allegations, allowing investigators to begin their work quickly and move forward with holding the individual accountable for the alleged conduct. He added that such behavior should never be tolerated, particularly in classrooms involving vulnerable students.
