Marquis Alexander returns to the site where he reported seeing an alligator in grass along a large ditch.

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — A week after encountering a creature on a city school campus, a Scholars Academy student remains wary of where he saw large reptilian feet and legs and part of a tail protruding from grass along a large, water-filled ditch.

Marquis Alexander was walking along a sidewalk behind Thomasville High School. The wide walkway, bordered on the east by the wide ditch, runs between East Jackson Street and Remington Avenue.

“I was trying to look in the water,” the 12-year-old told the Times-Enterprise.

The boy thought he had seen a soccer ball in the ditch and stepped closer to inspect the area.

“But then I saw the alligator right there walking in the grass,” Alexander said, pointing to tall grass on the ditch bank.

The boy was not alone when he saw the ‘gator. He picked up his four-year-old brother and ran, along with his sister, 8.

“The legs were pretty big, and so were the feet,” Alexander explained, adding that he next heard a splash in the water. “ … He was in the grass. When I jumped back, he went into the water.”

Was the boy frightened? “Very.”

Even though the ditch is not immediately visible, the type of vegetation growing along its banks signifies water.

At another time in the same area, Alexander heard a growl he thought might be an alligator.

After Alexander’s experience, Sabrina Boykins-Everett, Thomasville City School System superintendent, reported the sighting to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Thomasville police.

DNR personnel told the superintendent to immediately report any other ‘gator sightings.

Police Maj. Eric Hampton also talked to DNR.

“He said alligators do not normally want to have anything to do with people. They will generally go in the opposite direction,” Hampton said.

To date, no more sightings have been made. The administration at city schools is taking precautions to ensure the safety of students and staff members.

“A fair number of students use the new city walking path as part of their routes home. Students are advised to re-route themselves and use the Hansell Street sidewalk until more information is gathered regarding this claim,” Boykins-Everett said. “Our students’ safety and well-being are our first priority, and the Thomasville City School District will undertake all measures necessary to ensure student safety.”

Alexander’s mother, Lacara Alexander, said someone who grew up in the area of the ditch saw a ‘gator in the same vicinity when he was a child.

Hampton said where the sidewalk is today used to be Mitchell Street. He recalled a large ditch also running along the west side of what is now the sidewalk.

A church the officer recalled attending church as a child is the site today of a THS building. The high school was built in the early 1970s.

To date, no more sightings have been made. The administration at city schools is taking precautions to ensure the safety of students and staff.

“A fair number of students use the new city walking path as part of their routes home. Students are advised to re-route themselves and use the Hansell Street sidewalk until more information is gathered regarding this claim,” Boykins-Everett said. “Our students’ safety and well-being are our first priority, and the Thomasville City School District will undertake all measures necessary to ensure student safety.”

Alexander, who lives off Remington, no longer uses the ditch-bordered sidewalk as a route to and from school. He gets a ride or “walks the other way.”

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