A teacher in Newton County, Miss., has been charged with sexual battery involving a student.

Emily Suzanne Hansford is charged with three counts of sexual battery in Neshoba County. She has bonded out of jail since her arrest this weekend.

Prior to being released from jail in Philadelphia, the 43-year-old also faced another charge of sexual battery in Newton County.

"Any kind of allegation or abuse we take very, very seriously," said Union School District superintendent Michael McInnis.

According to investigators, the alleged incidents happened when Hansford worked at Union High School.

Law enforcement says the teacher has taught for several years with the Union Public School System, but said the alleged victim was not Hansford's student.

Investigators say the claims stem from incidents that allegedly happened within the last month in Neshoba and Newton counties. However, no official charges have been filed in Newton County.

"I have talked to the family; I talked to the father and the victim," said Investigator Ralph Sciple of the Neshoba County Sheriff's Department. "They said if the state wanted to pursue it, they're ready to go forward, too."

"I sent an investigator to the family's house and talked with the family," said Newton County Sheriff Jackie Knight. "The family wrote a statement that they did not want to pursue the charges against the teacher in Newton County."

Sheriff Knight says it's still possible that the district attorney could present the matter to the next Newton County grand jury in June.

Meanwhile, McInnis says the district has launched its own in-depth investigation into the matter.

"We are investigating the allegations and taking them very,very seriously," McInnis said.

Because it's a personnel matter, McInnis says he cannot comment on Hansford's current status with the district.

Neshoba County officials say it's unknown if more charges will be filed, but the investigation remains open.

Hansford was taken into custody by Neshoba County authorities Friday. She was released Saturday on $75,000 bond.

Her case is expected to be presented to the Neshoba County grand jury in May.

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