SANFORD, N.C. — A Lee County middle school teacher was arrested Thursday after authorities accused him of sexually abusing students.

Andrew Braxton Allen of Siler City, who teaches at SanLee Middle School in Sanford, had inappropriate relations with several students over a 10-year period, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office stated Thursday in a news release.

The investigation began Nov. 2, with a report to the sheriff’s office about an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and student at the school. Investigators say they have identified multiple children who were sexually abused by Allen.

Charges against Allen include statutory sex offense with a child by an adult, indecent liberties with a child and sexual activity with a student, the sheriff’s office stated.

Bail for Allen was set at $250,000.

Lee County officials said he was being transferred to Central Prison in Raleigh.

Officials ask parents who suspect their children may have suffered abuse by Allen to contact the sheriff’s office at 919-775-5531.