THOMASVILLE — The head of the Thomas County School System school resource officer network — a Thomas County Sheriff’s Office sergeant — was injured Thursday morning in a confrontation with a parent at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School.

Sgt. Lelia Spires suffered a burst lip during a confrontation with Latisha Mathis in a hallway a little after 8 a.m.

Mathis went to the 277 Hall Road school on Wednesday and became loud while meeting with her child’s teacher in the school lobby, said Dr. Dusty Kornegay, school system superintendent.

“There were no students there,” said Kornegay, adding that the teacher had taken her students to a physical education class.

After the Wednesday incident, school officials agreed to put restrictions on Mathis’ future visits to the school. She would be required to check in upon arrival and talk to the teacher in the presence of an administrator.

The superintendent knew Mathis planned to talk to the teacher Thursday morning and asked Spires to be available.

The school principal attempted to talk to Mathis and explain restrictions, Kornegay explained.

Mathis did not comply with the requirements and went into a hallway.

The officer was attempting to stop Mathis when the physical altercation took place.

Mathis struck Spires, said Lt. Tim Watkins, sheriff’s office chief investigator, and burst her lip.

Spires arrested Mathis, took her to the Thomas County Jail and booked her in, Watkins explained.

At the jail, the suspect refused to take a shower and was pepper-sprayed.

Kornegay said Mathis pulled Spires’ cell phone from her pocket and threw it on the floor. The officer’s shirt was torn during the altercation.

A school administrator trying to help Spires handcuff 42-year-old Mathis was kicked by the suspect.

Mathis is charged with felony obstruction of officer and battery on a school official, disrupting public school and criminal trespass. Other charges are pending.

The suspect, a Tallahassee, Florida, resident, is to be arraigned today.

Kornegay said Mathis’ child’s father, a Thomas County resident, has primary custody. Mathis brings the child to Thomasville when she is staying with her mother.

Spires was back on the job as head school resource officer late Thursday morning.

“I am good,” she explained.

Mathis has been permanently banned from Thomas County School System property.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.