Brendan Barnett, a former middle school teacher at Verrado Middle School in Buckeye, Arizona, is in custody following allegations of luring and kidnapping a 12-year-old girl. Barnett, 36, is under investigation after Buckeye police uncovered inappropriate online chats with a student. School district officials reported the suspicious communications to authorities in April, leading to the discovery of Barnett’s deceitful invitations for the victim to sleepovers at his home in central Phoenix.

Barnett allegedly misled the girl’s parents by posing as another student’s parent. Further investigation revealed that Barnett had been alone with the girl at his house on at least three occasions. The Litchfield Elementary School District immediately placed Barnett on leave and later terminated his employment. The district assured parents of their commitment to student safety and cooperation with law enforcement in an email: “Upon becoming aware of the allegations, Mr. Barnett was immediately removed from the classroom and the Buckeye Police Department was contacted, as was the Arizona Department of Education,” the district said in a statement.

“As the legal process moves forward, LESD79 will continue to fully cooperate with the Buckeye Police Department. We want to reassure our community that we are taking this matter seriously and are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all of our students,” it added.

Barnett was arrested by Buckeye police at a Phoenix library and faces charges including luring a minor for sex and three counts of kidnapping. His bond is set at $100,000.