The small community of Anderson County, South Carolina, was rocked by the unnerving case of a local elementary school teacher, 27-year-old Dylan Robert Dukes, who was charged with stalking an 11-year-old former student. Dukes, a music teacher at Starr Elementary School and even a prior ‘Teacher of the Year,’ was accused of an inappropriate and relentless pursuit of the young girl that spanned months, ultimately leaving the child uncomfortable and her family terrified.
The details of the case, which quickly captured local attention, paint a deeply concerning picture of a professional overstepping every boundary. According to warrants, the young girl was allegedly showered with an alarming array of gifts and tokens of affection from Dukes. These items included gift cards, ornaments, various pictures, and, most disturbingly, more than 60 individual love letters, one for almost every day of the summer break. The letters, which were found in a personalized box, contained highly affectionate and possessive statements like, “I love you very much and I’ve missed you.”
ALT TEXT: Yellow tape reading “caution” in all capitalized letters against a blurred green background
The sheer volume of these inappropriate communications, coupled with other unsettling behaviors like “unwanted hugs,” reportedly made the young victim feel increasingly uncomfortable, even forced into a relationship she didn’t want. The situation escalated dramatically once the school year ended, and Dukes learned the girl would no longer be a student at Starr Elementary. Rather than simply moving on, he allegedly took a drastic step to remain in her life: he joined her family’s church.
The family’s alarm led to a formal investigation by Anderson County deputies. Authorities executed a search of Dukes’ former classroom and desk where they discovered multiple photos of him and the child together. While deputies noted that none of the images were sexual in nature, their presence in his workspace, combined with the love letters, solidified the suspicion of an inappropriate obsession. Investigators expressed relief that they were able to intervene and stop the harassment and stalking before it became anything physical, a major fear that the juvenile victim was beginning to harbor.
The news of the arrest sent shockwaves through the school district, prompting them to place Dukes on administrative leave and cooperate fully with law enforcement. The district also ensured that counseling services and support were made available to any students and staff who needed assistance processing the disturbing news. However, the emotional toll on the victim’s family was immediately evident when they spoke during the bond hearing.
In a heartbreaking plea to the judge, the girl’s father voiced the family’s profound fear. He spoke of Dukes’ “unrestricted access” to their family over the years and the unknown “intentions of his obsession,” making it clear that they could not feel secure knowing he was not going to put their family in danger. Following the highly emotional testimony, a judge set Dukes’ bond at $50,000 surety and issued a strict order of no contact with the victim or her family.
Ultimately, the former teacher pleaded guilty to the stalking charge. The case serves as a deeply troubling reminder of the necessity for constant vigilance and open communication between parents, schools, and authorities to protect children from those who would exploit a position of trust. The family, now trying to heal, is left grappling with the terrifying reality of what could have been and the long-term impact of such a violation of trust on their young daughter.
