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A Dodson Branch Elementary Assistant Principal and a Teacher face assault charges following a paddling incident.
A male student was paddled twice at the school by his teacher, Jackson Patterson, while the assistant principal, Tena Lynn, was present. The paddling took place in early October. The student complained of pain in his buttocks and was taken to a medical facility for examination.
Dodson Branch Principal Brian Lee said both have been placed on administrative leave, per school board policy. Jackson County Director Of Schools Jason Hardy would not comment on the incident nor the investigation.
Six days after the incident, the TBI, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Children’s Services launched an investigation of the incident. The complaint was assault.
Patterson was charged with one count of simple assault. Lynn faces one count of criminal responsibility of assault. Both were arrested Tuesday and booked into the Jackson County Jail. Patterson’s bond set at $2,500. Lynn’s bond set at $1,500.
The investigation came at the request of the 15th District Attorney General Jason Lawson.
