Teacher arrested

A Lincoln Parish special education teacher is on suspension after her arrest Tuesday in connection with an incident that police say involved an alleged battery on one of her 9-year-old students.

Melanie Chapman, 54, who teaches at Cypress Springs Elementary School, is charged with one count of cruelty to the infirmed. Chapman will remain on suspension pending further investigation, Lincoln Parish Schools Superintendent Ricky Durrett said Wednesday.

“We always want to look out for the safety of all of our students and make sure they have the best teachers. We’ll investigate and take necessary actions from this point forward,” Durrett said.

Authorities did not release details of the incident that reportedly happened Friday.

Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers said the school’s principal called police Tuesday. School was out Monday for the Labor Day holiday. Chapman was arrested at the school shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The incident involving a male juvenile was captured on classroom surveillance camera video, Rogers said. He said the student is all right.

Chapman, from Farmerville, has taught at Cypress Springs for five years with no reported incidents, Rogers said. She was booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on $25,000 bond.