MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Dr. Henry Hankerson has resigned from his position as assistant principal at Baldwin High School, the Union-Recorder has learned.

The Baldwin County Board of Education accepted his resignation as part of the personnel recommendations at Tuesday’s regular monthly meeting. The Baldwin County School District declined to comment on Hankerson’s resignation, citing it as a personnel matter. 

On Feb. 18, Toombs County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies responded to Hankerson’s residence at 471 Bostwick Circle in Vidalia after receiving complaints of animal cruelty, according to a press release from the TCSO. It is unknown whether or not the home in Vidalia is Hankerson’s permanent residence. The release states that upon arriving at the residence deputies discovered “deplorable” living conditions and two deceased dogs on the property. A copy of the incident report obtained by The Union-Recorder states that the dogs appeared to have been dead for several days. It also stated that there were several bowls in the dogs’ vicinity that had water in them but no food. 

After deputies observed the conditions a warrant was secured for Hankerson’s arrest and he turned himself in to the Toombs County Detention Center the following day, Feb. 19. He was charged with a misdemeanor for one count of cruelty to animals and was released on a $5,000 bail set by the magistrate judge. 

Hankerson, 45, was in the middle of his second year at Baldwin High where he served as an assistant principal and also the school’s athletic director.

Hankerson’s resignation means the Baldwin County School District has a couple of leadership/administrative positions to fill at the high school alone. BHS Principal Dr. Cloise Williams’ resignation was accepted by the Baldwin County BOE last month.