MARTINSVILLE, Ind. -- A female Martinsville High School teacher accused of having sexual contact with a 17-year-old male student surrendered to police Wednesday night, the city's police department said.

English teacher Cynthia Rynard was arrested on a class D felony charge of child seduction after surrendering at about 11 p.m., police said.

Police said the arrest was a result of a four-week investigation into the alleged incident, which authorities said happened off school property.

"The way this thing got started is, after the alleged incident, the 17-year-old told some of his friends, and of course it spread," Martinsville Police Chief Frans Hollanders said.

Rynard has taught at the school for more than a year, 6News' Cheryl Jackson reported.

School officials declined to comment on the case Thursday, citing advice from their attorney.