Stabbing leads to arrest of St. Tammany Jail employee

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain announced today the arrest of a female employee at the Parish Jail.

Cheryl Ziegler, 42, 172 S. Cherrywood Lane, Pearl River, an eight-year employee with the St. Tammany Parish Jail, was arrested on one count of obstruction of justice.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt. George Bonnett said deputies responded to a stabbing call at Ziegler’s home at approximately 6:30 p.m. Friday. Ziegler’s son, Tyrell Batiste, 18, same address, had gotten into a fight with another man, during which the unidentified man was stabbed. When deputies arrived, it was discovered Ziegler had taken the victim, who did not have life threatening injuries, to New Orleans. Bonnett said Ziegler did not take the victim to a hospital, but dropped him off at a gas station, came back to Pearl River where she was arrested. Bonnett believes the victim is still in New Orleans after he got himself to a hospital.

Because Ziegler attempted to hinder the investigation by removing the man from the scene of a crime, she was arrested and booked with one count of obstruction of justice. She was released Saturday on a $5,000 bond.

Batiste was also arrested on one count of aggravated battery and one count of possession of marijuana. Batiste remains in the jail on a $20,000 bond.

The arrest was not related to Ziegler’s employment with the Sheriff’s Office. Her badge and commission were revoked immediately upon her arrest. Bonnett said Ziegler worked in the jail’s kitchen since 2001.