Hays High School employee arrested, accused of improper relationship with student
A Hays High School employee was accused of having an improper relationship with a student and arrested Thursday.
HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- A Hays High School employee was accused of having an improper relationship with a student and arrested Thursday.
Danielle Dunn, 32, faces charges of having an improper relationship with a student and child grooming following an investigation by the Kyle Police Department, according to a joint release from the Kyle Police Department and Hays Consolidated Independent School District.
According to the release, Hays CISD on Sunday received an allegation that a paraprofessional Hays High School clerk, identified as Dunn, may have been involved in an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student.
The district immediately reported the information to the Kyle Police Department and Child Protective Services. KPD detectives launched an investigation into the allegations immediately.
The district said it administratively reviewed the information and evidence with law enforcement and fired Dunn on Monday before she could return to work.
Dunn had been employed with Hays CISD since the start of this school year on August 22, 2023. According to Hays CISD, she underwent an extensive fingerprint and active-monitoring background check and was cleared for employment.
A warrant was issued for Dunn on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and she turned herself in at the Hays County Jail on Thursday, Jan. 25.
Dunn is being held in the Hays County Jail. No attorney information was available at the time of publishing this article, but when the information is made available, KXAN will reach out for a statement.
The Kyle Police Department said its Victim Services Unit is assisting victims and their families.
“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,” said Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett.
Police are asking residents, parents or guardians that may have any additional information to contact the Kyle Police Department at 512-268-3232 or, submit a tip anonymously to the Hays County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-324-TIPS (8477), online at callcrimestoppers.com, or by
using the P3 Tips app on your smartphone.
Legal expert breaks down what's next
Logan Campbell, criminal defense attorney at Gergen, Hale & Campbell Law Firm, said both of these charges Dunn faces are felonies, with the potential to serve at least 2 years for each charge.
“The charge for an improper relationship between an educator and a student, that's a second-degree felony, it's punishable up to two years in prison. Child grooming is a third-degree felony, the max punishment for that is 10 years in prison with a two-year minimum," Campbell said.
Campbell said the age and location of where the alleged improper relationship took place are more minor factors in a case like this.
“When you have this charge, even if that sexual contact was consensual, and if it was outside of the school system, it may be perfectly legal. When you have the mere student-educator relationship at that same school that is what makes that sexual contact illegal," Campbell said.