A DeSoto County Schools board member has responded to calls for her resignation and public scrutiny over a letter she wrote.

DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton called for Michele Henley to resign from her school board seat, citing a letter he said she wrote in support of Lindsey Whiteside, a former youth pastor who pleaded guilty to sexual battery of a minor.

Prosecutors were seeking a 30-year sentence for Whiteside. Judge Andrew Howorth sentenced her to three years of house arrest and seven years of probation. (Barton said he plans to appeal the sentence , which he claims is illegal.)

On Oct. 15, Henley posted this statement on Facebook:

"Over the past few days, there has been considerable discussion on social media regarding my character and involvement in a recent

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