WOONSOCKET – A city police officer who has
been on unpaid administrative leave since August of 2012 has been found guilty
of abusing his 9-year-old sister while she was in his care.
Patrick Cahill, 25, of 25 Newport St. is
scheduled to be sentence on Dec. 8 for one count of second degree child abuse.
He was found guilty by Superior Court Justice Daniel A. Procaccini after a seven-day,
jury waived trial.
The physical abuse occurred on Aug. 20, 2012
when, according to police records, Cahill dragged his his 9-year-old sibling by
her hair, then choked her while at his father's home. Cahill's father was a
former city police officer.
The victim immediately reported the assault
to her mother, who in turn reported it to the Woonsocket Police Department.
Cahill, who is employed by the Woonsocket
Police Department, has been on unpaid administrative leave since the time of
his arrest.
“Child abuse by the hands of an individual
who is sworn to uphold the law and protect all people is especially
reprehensible and disturbing,” said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin in
announcing the arrest. “Regardless of the position of power someone may hold,
the abuse of a child is never appropriate and will not be tolerated by my
office.”
Woonsocket Police Detective Justin Glode led
the investigation and Special Assistant Attorney General Ania Zielinski of the
Child Abuse Unit prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney
General.
