by Anderson County, South Carolina – A disturbing case out of Anderson County, South Carolina has raised serious concerns about student safety after a former elementary school teacher admitted to obsessively contacting and pursuing an 11-year-old girl who had once been in his classroom.
Dylan Robert Dukes, 27, previously named Teacher of the Year at Starr Elementary School, pleaded guilty to harassment after investigators uncovered a months-long pattern of unwanted communication, gifts and personal letters directed at the child.
Authorities say Dukes’ conduct escalated slowly but consistently. What began as overly attentive behavior in school eventually turned into dozens of handwritten notes and repeated attempts to maintain contact after the girl moved on from his classroom. According to local reports from outlets including FOX Carolina and WSAZ, investigators recovered more than 60 letters, along with numerous photographs of the child hidden inside Dukes’ classroom desk.
How the Behavior Escalated
Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said the contact intensified once the girl left his classroom at Starr Elementary. Dukes allegedly sought her out outside school as well, attending the family’s church and continuing to give the child notes and “special messages” on a regular basis.
The girl’s mother told the court that her daughter’s sense of safety was destroyed by the teacher’s behavior.
“My child has had to endure moments of uncomfortability in places like church, school and sports — places where my child should be comfortable,” she said, according to HuffPost.
The mother added that Dukes appearing at their church made her realize how far the situation had gone, saying the teacher’s continued proximity seemed to “grow his obsession.”
When the sheriff’s office was first notified in July 2024, investigators believed they intervened before the behavior escalated into physical harm. The child also reportedly told officials that she feared the conduct might soon become physical if nothing was done.
The Investigation and Charges
Once the allegations surfaced, Dukes was removed from the classroom and placed on administrative leave. School district officials also confirmed that he was the 2023–2024 Teacher of the Year, a detail that stunned many parents in the community.
Authorities initially charged him with stalking, and he was released on a $50,000 surety bond while the investigation continued. As detectives gathered evidence—including the letters, photos, and witness statements—they concluded that Dukes had engaged in a persistent pattern of harassment that caused emotional distress to the young student.
Kathy D. Hipp, superintendent of Anderson County School District 3, said the district was cooperating fully with the investigation and making counseling resources available to anyone affected. She emphasized that student safety remains the district’s highest priority.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At a recent plea hearing, Dukes admitted to the behavior and pleaded guilty to first-degree harassment. In court, prosecutors detailed the scale of his contact with the child, noting that he had handwritten letters for every day of the week during the summer break and had created repeated opportunities to be around her outside of school.
The judge sentenced him to three years of incarceration, suspended to five years of probation. Under the terms of the sentence, Dukes must:
- Attend mental-health counseling
- Surrender his teaching certificate
- Comply with a permanent restraining order
- Have no contact with the child or her family
Deputies said they were grateful the situation had been stopped before it progressed further.
“It’s fortunate that this is the one and only charge,”
the sheriff said, emphasizing that early intervention likely prevented a more dangerous turn.
Community Impact
Parents in Anderson County expressed shock and concern over the revelations, especially given Dukes’ status as a celebrated teacher. Many said the case reinforces the need for vigilance and transparency in school environments — even with educators who appear to be trusted role models.
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Authorities also noted that the child will require ongoing support to heal from the trauma caused by months of unwanted attention from a person in a position of authority.
Final Thoughts
This case has prompted renewed conversations about the systems in place for reporting and stopping inappropriate conduct within schools. With a plea now entered and sentencing complete, Anderson County officials hope the resolution brings some measure of closure to the victim and her family.
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