GRAHAM, Wash. -- A high school teacher charged with having sex with a 16-year-old student plead not guilty in court Wednesday.

Scott Milliman, a 27-year-old social studies teacher at Graham-Kapowsin High School, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor in the first degree.

Prosecutors say Milliman had sex with the student three times -- twice at his apartment, and most recently, a third time at a Puyallup motel on the early morning of Jan. 4.

Surveillance video from the motel shows Milliman walking into the hotel with the victim around 12:25 a.m., then leaving together just over two hours later, prosecutors said.

School officials found out about the alleged relationship on Jan. 8 when one of Milliman's friends turned him in. The school then immediately removed the teacher from their campus and called police, Det. Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department said. Milliman has since been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

Detectives believe the teacher began grooming the girl when she was a sophomore, flirting with her and kissing her in his classroom. Troyer said Milliman knew the student through school as well as the church they both attended, and detectives are now looking into their interactions in both settings.

"None of us want to send our kids to school and have to worry about an adult school teacher starting a romantic relationship with your child," Troyer said.

After his court appearance on Wednesday, Milliman refused to answer questions, deferring to his attorney.

"He's just been charged," said defense attorney Mike Kelly. "We just received the police report. (It) contains all the alleged evidence they intend to use against him and we haven't had a chance to review it. She was a student and there was never any improper relationship."

Milliman faces three counts of sexual misconduct. He remains free on his original bail posting of $15,000. The judge ordered he have no contact with the victim, and scheduled his pre-trial hearing for Feb. 3.