Cachoeirinha teacher charged with rape of seven vulnerable students

The Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul (MPRS) has filed charges against a 59-year-old state school teacher, Diogenes Ribeiro Canfild, for the rape of vulnerable victims in Cachoeirinha.

According to the prosecution, the crimes occurred at the Mário Quintana State School between 2025 and 2026. The teacher allegedly exploited his authority and the trust of his students to commit abuses during individual school activities. The investigation has identified seven victims, aged seven and eight at the time of the incidents, though authorities noted that the inquiry is ongoing and may reveal more victims.

The indictment includes aggravated and qualified rape, characterized by continuous criminal activity. The MPRS reported that the accused pressured victims to maintain secrecy by offering gifts. The prosecution is seeking a minimum compensation for moral damages for each victim, the loss of his public office, inclusion in the State Pedophile Registry, and the collection of biological material for genetic profiling. The suspect has been in preventive detention since August 26.