By By James Crawford
News Editor
Escambia County Middle School teacher Kimberly Gibson turned herself in Tuesday morning at approximately 9 a.m. at the Atmore Police Station and posted a signature bond.
Gibson was charged with harassment for an alleged incident that occured last Tuesday at the middle school.
She will be arrainged on charges of harassment on June 2 at the Atmore City Hall at 2:30 p.m.
According to sources, Gibson was walking in a classroom when a student allegedly stepped on her toes and she reacted with a slapping motion.
Sources further pointed out that Gibson is pregnant and may have reacted to protect her unborn child.
Melvin "Buck" Powell confirmed at a conference held at the Atmore Community Center that Gibson had been placed on administrative leave with pay since last week pending the outcome of an executive session of the Escambia County Board of Education that will be held Thursday at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the situation.
"I'll be able to tell you more after the meeting," said Powell.
Powell stated that he had already met with the parents and the AEA Tuesday morning to discuss the pending charges.
Under Alabama law a harassment charge is designated as an offense with intent to harass, annoy or alarm, strike, shove, kick or otherwise touch the said victim or suject him/her to physical contact.
Gibson is a science teacher at ECMS and is involved with a varied of extracurricular activities such as the recent County Science Fairs.