Inside the Case of Teacher Who Allegedly Groomed Student Starting at 13 — Then Said, 'I've Always Wanted to Kiss You' By Nicole Acosta

A former teacher at a high school in Connecticut is accused of grooming and sexually assaulting a teenage student, authorities said.

Ciara Picard, 39, was charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault after turning herself in to Meriden police on Tuesday, Dec. 2, the department said in a statement.

Police said the charges are related to allegations she had an “inappropriate relationship with a student” while working as a teacher at Maloney High School in Meriden. Picard resigned from her position in August.

According to an arrest warrant obtained by ABC affiliate WTNH, Picard allegedly began grooming her music student when he was a 13-year-old freshman several years ago and the sex assault continued until he was a 17-year-old senior. He has since graduated from the school.

He recalled their first kiss happening when he was 16 years old on a trip with Picard in New York. She allegedly told him, “I’ve always wanted to kiss you,” the arrest warrant states, per the outlet.

The alleged victim said the two would often communicate through text conversations but that it didn’t turn sexual until his junior year. Picard allegedly shared “how bad she wanted” the student and that she “loved” him, in addition to the two exchanging sexually graphic photos, per the arrest warrant.

In August, police went to the school to talk to Picard, who allegedly denied having any inappropriate relationships with students during her tenure. She later allegedly told investigators that she did exchange text messages with the student and that they “definitely crossed the line,” the outlet reported, citing the arrest warrant.

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“The safety and well-being of students remain our highest priority,” police said in the statement. “Individuals in positions of trust carry a responsibility to uphold the highest standard of conduct, and any violation of that trust is taken with the utmost importance.”

Police said that Picard was released from custody after posting a $25,000 court-set bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 16. It’s unclear if she has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf.

PEOPLE has reached out to Maloney High School for comment but did not immediately hear back.