Tift County Schools Paraprofessional arrested for inappropriate touching of student

TIFTON, Ga. – Andrew Lee OKelley, 35, was taken into police custody without incident and placed in Tift County Jail for one count of criminal attempt to commit child molestation and one count of sexual battery on a person under the age of 16 on Tuesday, just after 4:00 p.m. 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.”

The school system identified the Paraprofessional and placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the police investigation.

Lt. Chris Luckey opened the investigation into the allegations, interviewing several students, parents, and witnesses throughout the process. As a result, the facts and circumstances of the case were presented to the Tift County State Court Judge, leading to warrants issued for the arrest of OKelley, a Tifton resident.

The investigation is active and ongoing. If you have any information about this case, please contact Tifton Police Department Lt. Chris Luckey at 229-382-3132. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or by using the TiftonPD Tip411 mobile app.

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