DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. — A DeSoto County school teacher is on the hot seat for supporting convicted sexual offender Lindsey Whiteside.

Ashley Ford, a teacher at Lewisburg Intermediate School, is taking a leave of absence beginning Monday. No reason was given.

An email to parents from the principal at Lewisburg Intermediate stated, "At this time, we wanted to ensure you were aware that Mrs. Ford will be out for an undetermined amount of time beginning Monday, October 20th."

The email went on to say a certified substitute would be instructing Ford's class for the time being.

This comes as protesters are demanding the removal of school board member Michele Henley, who wrote a letter of support for Whiteside.

On the same day Whiteside pleaded guilty to sexual battery of a minor, Ford testif

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