Andrew Allen, courtesy of Lee County Sheriff’s Office

Bond for a local teacher accused of sexually abusing several students over multiple years was increased at a court hearing on Friday.

Andrew Allen, 32, of Siler City was charged Thursday by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office with statutory sex offense with a child by an adult, indecent liberties with a child, and sexual activity with a student. The San Lee Middle School teacher is accused of having “numerous inappropriate relationships with several students” over his decade-long tenure at the school, according to deputies.

Allen was initially jailed on $250,000 secured bond and held at Central Prison in Raleigh. At a first appearance before District Court Judge Mary Wells on Friday, his bond was increased to $2 million. Allen was taken back to Central Prison, and is expected to return to Lee County for another hearing in January.

Authorities first received a report “regarding an inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a student” at the middle school on Nov. 2. He was suspended with pay from his position that day and has not returned to the school since. After an investigation by Lee County Schools, Allen was suspended without pay on Nov. 4 and tendered his resignation on Nov. 6. He was indicted by a Lee County Grand Jury on Monday and formally charged on Thursday.

Deputies have said the investigation is ongoing and requested that “any parents that had students that were taught by Andrew Braxton Allen during his tenure at SanLee Middle School to speak with their child(ren) about any possible inappropriate conduct. If it is found or even suspected that your child may have been a victim please contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office so that follow up can be done.”

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (919) 775-5531.

Allen was hired at SanLee in 2012, where he taught sixth grade math and social studies.