South Carolina Elementary Teacher Arrested, Accused of Stalking 11-Year-Old Student

According to an official report from the Anderson County Sheriff's Office, an investigation was initiated on Monday, July 8, 2025, following a report of alleged stalking. The report detailed a series of disturbing and escalating actions by Dylan Dukes, a 27-year-old teacher at Starr Elementary School, against a former student, an 11-year-old girl.

The victim’s family provided authorities with evidence of Dukes's alleged pattern of behavior. As reported by WYFF-TV, an arrest warrant reviewed by their journalists outlines the unsettling allegations. According to the warrant, Dukes created a personalized box for the young girl that contained a separate "love letter" for each day of her summer break. In total, investigators stated that Dukes sent the child over 60 letters, a number that far exceeds what could be considered a casual or appropriate gesture from a teacher to a student.

The alleged acts were not limited to letters. The warrant further alleges that Dukes sent the victim multiple gift cards and photos, attempting to maintain contact and build a connection outside of the teacher-student relationship. A particularly unsettling claim in the warrant details an "unwanted hug which made the victim feel uncomfortable," a physical interaction that authorities and the victim's family viewed as deeply inappropriate and a serious violation of personal boundaries.

The most alarming aspect of the allegations is the final act of desperation reportedly taken by Dukes. According to the sheriff’s office, Dukes learned that the young girl would no longer be a student at Starr Elementary School. In response, he allegedly took the drastic step of joining her family’s church, a clear attempt to continue to be a part of her life and to be in her physical presence, despite the formal separation of the student-teacher relationship. This action is a key component of the stalking charge, as it demonstrates a deliberate and persistent pattern of behavior aimed at intruding on the victim's life.

The Anderson County Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation into the matter, working to uncover the full scope of Dukes's alleged actions and to ensure the safety of the victim. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the community, particularly among parents of students at Starr Elementary, who trusted Dukes with the care of their children. The school district has not yet released an official statement regarding Dukes’s employment status, but a person in his position is typically placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

The case serves as a grave reminder of the need for vigilance and clear boundaries between adults and children, even in professional and community settings.