A former South Carolina educator once celebrated as a “Teacher of the Year” has pleaded guilty to first-degree harassment after writing more than 60 love notes to an 11-year-old student and later showing up at her family’s church.
According to South Carolina news outlet WSAZ, Dylan Robert Dukes, 27, entered the plea on November 14, 2025, admitting to a months-long pattern of obsessive behaviors. Investigators said Dukes’ stalking escalated after the child left his classroom at Starr Elementary School in Anderson County, where he had previously been honored as the 2023-24 Teacher of the Year.
According to case documents, Dukes wrote dozens of handwritten love letters to the girl. In one instance, he packaged letters in a decorated box, each one labeled for a particular day of the week during summer break. Police said he also gave her cards, gift cards, ornaments, and photos, along with hugs she did not want, causing the child to feel increasingly uncomfortable.
The church encounter
After the young student left the school, the girl’s mother reported that Dukes began appearing at their church after the school year ended. She told the judge her daughter felt unsafe “in places like church, school, and sports, where my child should be comfortable and able to enjoy being a child.”…