NEW ORLEANS (AP) – A Louisiana mother arrested for whipping her three boys after she found out they had burglarized a neighbor’s house has found herself in the national spotlight and is being held up as a model parent by high-ranking state officials.

Thirty-year-old Schaquana Spears was arrested Monday in Baton Rouge on two counts of cruelty to juveniles. She allegedly whipped her 13- and 12-year-old boys so badly she left marks on their bodies.

But since her arrest, she’s received an outpouring of support.

This week, Louisiana State Treasurer John Kennedy said Spears should not have been arrested for disciplining her children with corporal punishment.

“I bet those boys won’t be burglarizing other homes anytime soon, though,” Kennedy wrote Tuesday on his Facebook account, referring to Spears’ choice of discipline.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said Friday that he’s grateful his mother used a rod to teach right from wrong. The attorney general is reviewing the case.