CORRECTION NOTICE
Corrections made to the Press Release issued by Tifton Tuesday
TIFTON, Ga., January 29, 2025 – Following the retraction of our previous press release dated January 28, 2025, the City of Tifton is issuing correcting information regarding the Paraprofessional Arrested for the Inappropriate Touching of a Student.
1. Corrections were made to the name of the individual arrested.
“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.
This was corrected from:
“Andrew Lee Allen Kelley,” and “Kelley” as referred to in the fourth paragraph in the original press release.
2. Corrections were made to clarify the role of the individual in Tift County schools.
“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,” and “The school system identified the Paraprofessional and placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the police investigation.”
This was corrected from:
The original press release incorrectly referred to OKelley as a “teacher.” To clarify his role in Tift County schools, this correction has been made to accurately communicate his role as a Paraprofessional.
Please see the Corrected Press Release Below.
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CORRECTED RELEASE
Paraprofessional Arrested for Inappropriate Touching of Student
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 29, 2025
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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Download the Press Release here. /DocumentCenter/View/1583