TIFT COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - At around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the Tifton Police Department arrested a Tift County Schools paraprofessional on sex charges involving a minor.

Andrew Lee O’Kelley, 35, is being charged with a felony count of sexual battery against a child under 16 and criminal attempt to commit felony child molestation.

According to the release from Tifton Police Department (TPD), the investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior began when a parent informed the Tifton Police Department and Tift County Schools that her child had been inappropriately touched by a male paraprofessional at Northside Elementary School. The inappropriate touching was described as “laying her son down in his lap while pretending to play the piano on his stomach.”

WALB began looking this incident on Friday, Jan. 24 after seeing social media chatter regarding allegations against the employee at Northside Elementary School.

Dana Spurlin, Chief of Communications and Community Engagement at Tift County Schools, confirmed that the school had placed O’Kelley on administrative leave and was cooperating with the Tifton Police Department’s investigation.

Tift County Schools released this statement in response:

Over the Christmas break, Tifton Police informed Tift County Schools of a report from a parent at Northside Elementary School involving an accusation against a paraprofessional. After notifying the police, the parents subsequently informed school administrators of the situation.

Once the allegations were brought to the attention of Tift County Schools, the staff member in question was immediately placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation by the Tifton Police Department.

It is our understanding that the police issued a warrant today for the arrest of this individual. We appreciate the prompt and thorough action taken by the Tifton Police Department in investigating these allegations. With this development, our human resources team is now able to proceed with appropriate employment action.

“No child should ever feel threatened or unsafe by any school system employee. This behavior is unacceptable, especially from someone entrusted with caring for and guiding our kids,” said Superintendent Natalie Gore. “Tift County Schools is deeply committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all our students.”

The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority. We will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement and will take all necessary steps to ensure a safe environment for every child in our schools.

WALB is working to get more information from officials. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

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