HAYS COUNTY, Texas — A paraprofessional clerk with Hays High School has been charged with second and third-degree felonies after she was accused of having inappropriate relations with a student.
According to the City of Kyle, Danielle Elizabeth Dunn was fired on Monday, Jan. 22, after Hays CISD received an allegation that she had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Upon hearing the accusation, Hays CISD immediately contacted the Kyle Police Department and Child Protective Services (CPS), which conducted an investigation. A warrant was issued for Dunn's arrest on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Dunn turned herself into the Hays County Jail. She is charged with Improper Relationship between an Educator and Student, a second-degree felony, and Child Grooming, a third-degree felony.
"We know these incidents are unsettling for our community but we are working together with the school district during this difficult time to provide our students and affected families with the justice, care and support they deserve," Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said.
Hays CISD released a statement providing background information on Dunn, who started working for the district last August. According to the district, Dunn successfully passed the required background check and fingerprint process with no known prior instances worthy of concern.
"School district employees are placed in positions of tremendous trust and responsibility," the district said in part. "Violating this truth is abhorrent and intolerable. Hays CISD maintains the highest possible screening and hiring safeguards, urgency in response to serious allegations, and the strongest partnerships with law enforcement to protect students."
This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information can contact Kyle police at 512-268-3232; call the Hays County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-324-8477 or visit callcrimestoppers.com; or use the P3 Tips app.
No additional information is available at this time.