A Creekview High School special education teacher was charged Wednesday with four counts of felony sexual assault following an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old student.

Adam Blake Bearden, 31, of Ball Ground, turned himself in to detectives following an investigation, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $44,800 for Bearden, whose first court appearance has not been scheduled, Lt. Jay Baker told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Officials with the Cherokee County school system notified the sheriff’s office of the allegations Tuesday, Baker said. Deputies searched Bearden’s home, where they found enough evidence to file charges. Details about specific evidence found was not released.

Investigators believe the sexual relationship took place off campus over a three-month period, Baker said. Georgia law prohibits sexual relationships, even when consensual, between teachers and students.

Bearden was re-assigned to a non-school work site before the start of classes Wednesday, according to Barbara Jacoby, a spokeswoman for the Cherokee County school district. Bearden was hired by the school district as a paraprofessional in July 2009 and was hired as a teacher in July 2010, Jacoby said in an emailed statement.

The school system has launched an internal investigation, Jacoby said.