A Braselton police officer is leaving the department instead of appealing his termination.

Officer Ray Rutledge was fired in December following his arrest and charges of battery and third-degree cruelty to children earlier that month.

Rutledge, a Flowery Branch resident, was arrested after deputies with the Hall County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic dispute at an address on Union Church Road.

Col. Jeff Strickland, spokesman for the sheriff's office, said a preliminary investigation revealed Rutledge had "pushed an adult and child down onto a bed." Rutledge was off duty at the time of the incident.

Following an internal investigation by the Braselton Police Department, Rutledge was notified of his termination on Dec. 21.

He was appealing that decision, and a hearing was held on Feb. 14. On Feb. 18, however, Rutledge notified Police Chief Terry Esco that he was retracting the appeal.

"Please be advised that I am hereby resigning my employment with the Town of Braselton Police Department," Rutledge wrote. "Also, please allow this letter to serve as notification that I am dismissing my appeal presently pending with the Town Manager."

Braselton Town Manager Jennifer Dees said the town has accepted Rutledge's resignation.

Rutledge had worked for Braselton since June 2007.