A Houston middle school employee is facing charges of aggravated sexual assault following an alleged affair with a 13-year-old student at the school where he works.

According to Chron.com, Mauricio Orlando Mendoza, 37, is an IT worker at the school. The status of his employment since the molestation allegations is not known, but he could face a life sentence if convicted of the charges.

The mother of the 13-year-old student discovered text messages on her daughter’s phone that indicated she was having in appropriate contact with Mendoza, who is married with children. After the mother brought the relationship to the attention of school officials, the student was tested for pregnancy.

The test was reportedly positive.

“The defendant is believed to be the father of the unborn child,” Assistant Harris County District Attorney Patrick Stayton said at Mendoza’s court appearance on Thursday, according to Chron.com.

The suspect was released on $50,000 bail, reportedly on the condition that he turn over his passport. Mendoza legally migrated to the United States from El Salvador with his family approximately five years ago.

Photo: Harris County Sheriff’s Office