Even for Selma, the events of this week are those that can be easily considered absurd.

Sunday morning, a convicted sex offender was given a day pass from jail so that she could attend an annual church anniversary. That’s right, an anniversary — something that takes place each and every year.

There was no death of a family member, a loved one giving birth, or heading off to war. There was no wedding celebration of a brother or sister, nor was there any visit to see a beloved family member battling a terminal illness. It was a church anniversary.

In April 2013, Latangelia Williams was arrested and charged for inappropriate sexual relations with a student while working as a teacher at Selma High School.

This April, after months of hearings, Williams pleaded guilty to a both felony and misdemeanor charges. Her sentence was 14 months in jail and three years of probation.

She was ordered to seek counseling and was registered as a convicted sex offender.

This sentence was a deal, reducing the 10-year prison sentence that was suspended.

Sunday, that deal might have been broken when Williams was allowed a day pass to attend the 35th pastoral anniversary for her father and Dallas County Commission Curtis Williams.

Monday, District Attorney Michael Jackson, who agreed to the plea deal, was miffed and this week filed paperwork to nix the deal, meaning Williams could see her sentence go from 14 months to 10 years. All because of a day out of jail.

Regardless of the circumstances of Williams’ conviction and her connections in the community, she was arrested, charged and convicted of sexual crimes, all while as serving as a teacher.

What more can be done to violate the public trust than a teacher having sex with a student? What more can violate the public trust than a convicted sex offender — one with political connections — being allowed a day out of jail for nothing more than a pastoral anniversary celebration?

The pictures of her on social media smiling and spending time with friends and family was a slap in the face of that public trust and something must be done. Someone must answer for this.

Unfortunately, answers are slow in response. And, unfortunately, there are more questions raised by this action.

Does this signal a new precedent on the part of law enforcement officials? Is there a new threshold for day pass requests and approvals? What about a cousin’s 10th birthday party? Does that now qualify for a day pass?

And, what level of criminal is allowed a pass? We’ve already established registered sex offenders can be let out for the day to attend a pastoral appreciation, where does it end? Will those charged with assault be allowed a day pass to attend the Alabama-Auburn game next season? What about those who are facing extended sentences for robbery?

Some may argue Jackson’s actions and the outrage over her release are misguided.

In our opinion, Jackson’s actions and the reaction are exactly where they need to be.

This should have never been allowed and the community deserves answers.