A Rockmart High School teacher has resigned his position effective Tuesday, Dec. 13 after he was charged with hitting a student on Nov. 2.

Daniel Eugene Dennett, 33, of 76 Evergreen Lane, Apt. 18, Cedartown, submitted his resignation which the Polk School District Board of Education accepted, according to Dr. Darrell Sorrels, superintendent.

Dr. Sorrells would not comment on Dennett’s resignation. Polk County District Attorney Don Wilson said his department was currently reviewing records to determine what charges can be brought forward in the case. He said the next Grand Jury would not meet until March.

Dennett reportedly turned himself into police Nov. 17 and was arrested on charges of simple battery and cruelty to children in the second degree. Dennett was later released on $4,100 bond.

According to information provided by the Polk County Police Department, a 15-year-old student at Rockmart High School approached school officials on Nov. 2 and said that Dennett had punched him in the back during class.

The student stated that the incident began as several students and Dennett were “horse playing” during class.

During this time, the student said that Dennett became angry and punched him in the back with a closed fist. Police reported a “large area of redness on his back, which appeared that he had been struck.”

School officials notified campus police of the incident, which was forwarded to the county police Criminal Investigations Division on Nov. 4 for further investigation. After a criminal investigation into the allegations against Dennett, a warrant was obtained for his arrest on Nov. 16.

At approximately 6 a.m. Thursday morning, Dennett turned himself into the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.