Teacher arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse

By The Associated Press

PINE BLUFF — Police arrested a fourth-grade teacher in the Watson Chapel School District on suspicion of sexually abusing five or more girls ages 9 and 10, police said Thursday.

Robert Michael Gatlin, 44, of Rison was arrested on suspicion of felony sexual assault. Gatlin, a teacher at Coleman Intermediate School, was expected to appear Friday at a probable cause hearing in Jefferson County Circuit Court.

Robert Gatlin

Watson Chapel Assistant Superintendent Ivy Lincoln said Gatlin was suspended with pay after he "admitted routinely touching students in class without any reasonable cause, and in order (for the school district) to investigate allegations of discrimination on the basis of gender."

"The complaint by the parents in this matter was that he was touching girls inappropriately and showing favoritism toward girls over boys," Lincoln said.

The district suspended Gatlin Sept. 8.