By Billy Davis

Batesville police are investigating a South Panola High School teacher who has been charged with enticing a child for the purpose of sexual activity.

Police escorted Marion Bryan Strickland, 24, from the school Wednesday afternoon shortly after normal school hours according to witnesses.

Batesville Police Chief Tony Jones said Thursday he did not want to comment about the arrest, citing the ongoing investigation.

Dr. Keith Shaffer, South Panola’s superintendent, confirmed Thursday that the South Panola English teacher had been put on administrative leave during the investigation and that the district was cooperating fully with investigating agencies.

Shaffer also confirmed that it is Strickland’s second year to teach, his first at South Panola.

Strickland, who lives in Oxford, was still in jail Thursday and had not obtained an attorney by presstime.