Starr, SC – Dylan Dukes Sent Letters, Gifts, and Harassment Toward Former Student
Article:
Starr, South Carolina – Dylan Dukes, 27, a music teacher at Starr Elementary, is facing serious legal consequences after a harrowing case of harassment toward an 11-year-old former student came to light. Dukes, once celebrated as Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year, allegedly sent romantic and inappropriate correspondence to the child throughout the summer of 2024, creating a prolonged period of fear and discomfort for both the girl and her family.
According to court records, Dukes handed the child a personalized box containing letters meant to be read each day of her summer break. The box also contained gift cards, ornaments, and photographs, all intended to maintain constant contact even after the school year ended. The child’s mother testified in court that her daughter had received love notes from Dukes “countless times,” and that the 60 letters discovered represented just the period from June onward.
Investigators found Dukes’ behavior extended beyond the classroom. After learning that the girl would no longer be his student, Dukes reportedly began attending her church services, further intensifying the family’s concern about his intentions. At the bond hearing, the child’s father spoke emotionally about Dukes having “unrestricted access” to their family, expressing the profound unease and uncertainty they faced as a result of his actions.
When detectives searched Dukes’ classroom, they discovered numerous photographs of the child stored in his desk. The presence of these materials, coupled with the letters and other gifts, painted a disturbing picture of premeditated harassment. The investigation revealed that the inappropriate conduct spanned nearly a full year, from August 2023 to July 2024, raising troubling questions about the moments of fear or discomfort the child may have experienced without her family’s knowledge.
Dukes was initially held on a $50,000 bond following his arrest. After legal proceedings, he pleaded guilty to first-degree harassment. The court sentenced him to three years in jail, followed by five years of probation. The case has left Starr Elementary, once proud of Dukes’ accomplishments, grappling with a sense of betrayal and a need to restore trust in the safety of its school environment.
The impact of Dukes’ actions extends far beyond the courtroom. For the child and her family, the emotional toll has been profound. Experts and advocates emphasize that cases like this highlight the importance of vigilance in protecting children, ensuring that adults in positions of authority are held accountable, and providing long-term support to victims.
As the Starr community absorbs the shocking details of this case, attention has turned to policies, background checks, and safeguards aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. For the family affected, the hope is for peace, healing, and the reassurance that justice has been served, and that measures are in place to ensure the safety of all children in educational settings.
