Former Ocean Springs substitute arrested after investigation

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) - The Ocean Springs Police Department has made an arrest in the investigation of a substitute teacher working at Ocean Springs Middle School.

KeShawn Belcher, 21, was arrested on Wednesday by OSPD with no incident. He is being charged with one count of exploitation of a child and one count of lustful touching of a child.

The Ocean Springs School District says Monday afternoon, school administrators were informed by a student of an incident involving Belcher, who was working at OSMS the week prior as a substitute teacher through an outside employment agency contracted by the district.

Campus police immediately launched an investigation, and upon discovering additional evidence, enlisted OSPD to help. They also notified the agency that employed Belcher.

A social media post circulated Tuesday alleging the sub asked some students to be friends on Snapchat and posted inappropriate videos on the app.

It also alleges the sub “invited one of the 7th grade girls to come cuddle with him.”

Trey Brennan, Ocean Springs School District Public Information Officer, says Belcher is no longer allowed on any of the school districts’ campuses.

Ocean Springs School District and the Ocean Springs Police Department are still investigating this incident.

“The best thing for parents to do is be up to date on what app their kids are using and being friends with them. You know, being their friends on that social media account,” said Ryan Lemaire with Ocean Springs police. “There are apps that you can get where you can monitor what apps they’re using and what they’re doing on them. There are privacy settings and I know through iPhone you can actually get their messages they’re getting in and out and sitting down and talking to them. Talking to your children about being safe online, and what they are looking at, and who they’re friends with.”

Police said the investigation is ongoing, and more charges are expected against the ex-substitute teacher.

To report any information, please call the Ocean Springs Police Department at 228-875-2211, or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.

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