A former Wake County teacher accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior with a seven-year-old girl appeared in court today.

George Johnson, 50, turned himself in to authorities Wednesday afternoon, on two charges each of Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child, and Indecent Liberties with a Student by a Teacher.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 59 months.

A criminal investigation began after a parent made accusations against Johnson, who was then a first grade teacher at Wakelon Elementary in Zebulon.

School officials suspended Johnson from work, and he subsequently resigned June 12.

Wake County Public School System leaders said that when Johnson was hired, his background check did not raise any red flags.

When hiring employees, WCPSS policy is to collect written and verbal recommendations from previous employers, conduct criminal background checks for every place the applicant has lived in the past ten years, and check the nationwide sexual offender registry.

The hiring process is halted if anything suspicious arises in someone's background, said WCPSS spokesperson Michael Evans.

Johnson's bond was set at $70,000. He is scheduled to appear in court again on July 23.