After a social worker reported what appeared to be a sexual battery incident, 35 year-old William Worley was arrested.

Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Investigator Donnie Saucier said the case was called in to the department on Feb. 12, when the social worker got the report of the alleged incident.

Apparently the 11 year-old girl reported the crime to the social worker at her school, who in turn called the Sheriff’s Department, prompting the investigation.

Investigator Rhonda Poche was assigned the case and through interviews and investigation Worley was established as a suspect. A warrant was secured for his residence and DNA was collected, which was a key component leading to his arrest, Saucier said.

Due to the nature of the crime, Saucier said Worley could face up to life in prison if convicted.

Worley, of 34 Ray Hinton Rd., has been charged with rape and sexual battery, Saucier said.