MILFORD, N.H. (AP) – An eighth-grade teacher charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at his school planned to divorce his wife to marry the girl, the prosecutor said in court Friday.

Kevin Marquis, 35, of Hooksett, faced the charges in Merrimack District Court and was released on $25,000 bail.

Marquis was arrested Thursday at his home. The 10-year history teacher from Milford Middle School faces nine charges, including four counts of sexual assault, four of endangering the welfare of a child and one of seducing a child with a computer.

“He’s in love with a middle school girl,” Milford police prosecutor Kevin Maxwell said at Marquis’ arraignment. “Just the other day, he said he wants to be with her.” Marquis has been married almost five years and has a 2-year-old son.

Investigators said the teacher began seducing the girl, who was in one of his history classes, around the time classes resumed after the winter break in February.

The assaults took place at the school, they said. Police said Marquis seduced the girl with e-mails.

“We expect to challenge them on each and every charge,” said Marquis’ lawyer, Michael Craig. “We will zealously defend Mr. Marquis to the fullest extent of the law.”

Craig said he managed to get a relatively low bail by citing Marquis’ clean record as a lifelong resident of New Hampshire. He also said Marquis has mental health issues and needs medication. Milford Police Department prosecutor Kevin Maxwell asked for a higher bail and said Marquis was a “danger to the community.”

Marquis’ parents attended the court appearance and cried when their son entered the courtroom.

Police said the school superintendent notified officers of the possibility of improper conduct between Marquis and the girl after her parents notified the school last Friday.

Pupils were told of Marquis’ arrest and were given a letter to bring home to their parents Friday.

A court hearing has been scheduled for June 2.

AP-ES-05-23-03 1751EDT