A McLaurin Elementary School janitor charged with molesting a student was arraigned Wednesday in Natchez Municipal Court. Municipal Court Judge John Tipton assigned Scott Pintard, to serve as an attorney for James Heckard, 51, East Woodlawn St.

Tipton also assigned Heckard a $20,000 bond Wednesday.

Police arrested Heckard Tuesday after the Natchez-Adams School District contacted them that morning.

The Natchez Police Department is investigating whether Heckard molested a 10-year-old girl at school Monday in a storage building outside the school.

The department held Heckard for the felony charge without bond until his arraignment.

Because of the charge, Heckard is currently on administrative leave from the Natchez-Adams School District with pay until the investigation is complete.

Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff said Wednesday that the case is still open, but he did not have any new information to report.

Police were still holding Heckard on the $20,000 bond Wednesday evening.

As a condition of the bond, he is not permitted to speak with the victim, her parents either in person, by phone, letter or third-person contact.

&uot;If you have any contact with these people, it’s going to be a violation of your bond,&uot; Tipton said to Heckard.

Heckard must appear in Natchez Municipal Court on Dec. 7 for a preliminary hearing.