KINGSTON, MA — A former employee of the Silver Lake Regional School District has died while authorities were preparing to arrest him in connection with an investigation involving a TikTok video, according to law enforcement sources.
The investigation began after a video circulated online appearing to show the employee engaging in sexually explicit conversation with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Investigators later determined the interaction was part of an online setup account intended to expose inappropriate behavior toward minors.
Once the video surfaced, law enforcement opened a formal investigation and began building a case that could have led to criminal charges. Police in Massachusetts and Rhode Island coordinated efforts as the individual was believed to be located in Rhode Island.
The confirmed it removed the employee from his position and barred him from school property shortly after learning of the allegations.
Authorities say investigators were preparing to take the man into custody when he was found dead in Rhode Island. Officials have stated that foul play is not suspected, and the death is being handled by Rhode Island State Police.
Officials also said there is no indication that any students were directly involved or contacted in the case.
The investigation into the online conduct had not yet reached court proceedings before his death, effectively ending any potential criminal prosecution.
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