I-Team: West Warwick teen arraigned on child molestation charge

WARWICK, R.I. — A 19-year-old West Warwick man pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree child molestation during his arraignment Friday in Kent County Court.

Police say Chandler Cardente had sex with a 13-year-old girl in Coventry in June. A grand jury indicted Cardente in December.

The alleged sex crime is not the first time the teenager has been in trouble with the law.

Two other cases of child molestation are pending against Cardente in West Greenwich and West Warwick. Two additional sex crime charges against him were dismissed.

The I-Team found Cardente often misrepresented his age online. On the social media site Keek he posted his age as 17 when in fact he is 19 years old.

Through email, Cardente's mother, Pauline Rossi, said her son's innocence will be proven soon enough.

"I have faith in the court system. They will see the truth and you will be very shocked, trust me," Rossi said.

Cardente is being held without bail at the ACI. He's due back in court Feb. 11.