PASADENA, Texas -- A city of South Houston teacher was placed on administrative leave, accused of having an improper relationship with a student, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.

Officials at South Houston High School said they began asking questions after the English teacher, Sean Eckman, 29, asked his principal if he could take a 17-year-old student to prom.

"He asked for permission to take her to the prom. He said he was a family friend and that the parents had agreed that it would be OK," said Kirk Lewis, the Pasadena Independent School District superintendent.

An investigation began.

"The culmination of those investigations led us to believe he had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student," Lewis said.

Police filed charges of inappropriate behavior between an educator and a student.

The principal sent a letter home to parents letting them know about the allegations against Eckman.

"I don't think it's right -- no matter what the age of the student is. That's wrong," parent Gloria Sales said.

Eckman resigned from his teaching position.

He remained jailed on a $100,000 bond