SANFORD — A teacher at SanLee Middle School was arrested after reports he sexually abused students, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Andrew Braxton Allen, 32, of Siler City, was arrested on Nov. 17 after a weeks-long investigation. Allen has had multiple inappropriate relations with students over a 10-year period at the school, officials said.
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 said they have identified multiple children who were sexually abused by Allen.
Lee County Schools said Allen was immediately suspended without pay as soon as the allegations surfaced. Allen resigned Nov. 6, according to the district.
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 said.
“The Board wants to emphasize that student safety is our highest priority,” the Lee County Board of Education said in the statement. “We understand that there will be many questions and that our community will need time and support in order to process and respond to this terrible situation.”
The board said it would provide additional support at SanLee Middle School to help students and community members process the situation.
Bail for Allen was originally set at $250,000, but adjusted to $2,000,000 secured bond after further charges were filed. Allen will be held in Central Prison in Raleigh until he is expected to appear in Lee County court in January.
Allen was hired at SanLee in 2012 where he taught 6th-grade math and social studies.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is requesting that any parents that had students that were taught by Andrew Braxton Allen during his tenure at SanLee Middle School to speak with their children about 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 at 919-775-5531.
“Please understand how very important it is to speak with your children to ensure that no young person is left with an undiscovered, untreated, lasting and traumatizing memory,” a Lee County Sheriff’s Office statement said. “The second reason is to make sure that any possible victims have the opportunity to come forward and to have a voice that could lead to further prosecution.”
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information should contact Lee County Sheriff’s Office.