PROVIDENCE – The man accused of kidnapping a Burrillville Middle School student – and later attempting to have her killed – was held without bail this week following an appearance in Providence Superior Court.
Chandler Cardente, 29, pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and murder-for-hire stemming from the 2021 incident. He was previously indicted by a grand jury for eight additional counts, including six counts of first degree child molestation, enticement of a child and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
According to prosecutors who spoke before a judge at his arraignment on Wednesday, August 23, Cardente used Snapchat to communicate with the 12-year-old victim, pretending to be a 17-year-old boy. In December of 2021, he picked up the victim by the school. Police investigating the girl’s disappearance later found her on the side of the road in Warwick.
Cardente was arrested, and while inside the ACI, allegedly tried to hire someone to kill the victim to eliminate her as a witness, offering $200 in cash and $1,500 in equipment, according to reports.
A registered Level 3 sex offender previously convicted of child molestation and sexual assault in cases from Coventry, West Warwick and West Greenwich, Cardente was held without bail, and is not allowed to have any contact with the girl.
