Teacher charged with sex assault

Still no answer at 29-year-old Timothy Riendeau's house when News Channel 8's Tina Detelj knocked this afternoon. His arrest for inappropriate conduct with a student at Fitch High School in Groton has the whole town talking about the art teacher.

"Well I think it's very scary because there's a lot of younger children and he did work in an elementary school," Linda Wargo, a parent, said.

The superintendent did confirm Riendeau taught at a Groton elementary school but says there is no indication of any pattern of questionable behavior. The alleged inappropriate behavior at the high school is enough for most parents.

"If it was my child I would be very upset," Cathy Brandt, a parent, said.

Riendeau remains on paid administrative leave but the superintendent tells us the attorney for the board of education may look at that status again. In the meantime the student involved remains in school and is being offered any services she might need.

"It might have been a consensual relationship? It doesn't matter it's a child under 18, whatever, and in a school," Brandt said.

Groton city police tell us there have been no other complaints in this case.

"He seems like he's a pretty nice guy. I saw him walking his dog all the time, he's pretty friendly. Saying hello," Jeff Patterson, Riendeau's neighbor, said.

Patterson lives down the street from Riendeau. He was shocked by the arrest but didn't want to comment on it without all the facts.

"I'm not passing judgement on him at all just like I wouldn't want anyone passing judgement on me," Patterson said.

Riendeau was released on a $150,000 bond and is due in court on Dec. 2.