
Dubuque School Employee Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of Student
Elizabeth Carol Dunlap, 40, of Dubuque, was arrested on Monday, January 13th, 2025, after being accused of sexually exploiting a male student at Hempstead High School, where she worked as a paraprofessional.
Dubuque Police have charged Dunlap with three felonies: possession of a depiction of a minor engaged in a sex act, telephone dissemination of obscene material to a minor, and sexual exploitation by a school employee. She was arrested at her residence on Althauser Street at 4:59 pm.

According to court documents, the Dubuque Police Department, and a report in the Telegraph Herald, the investigation began on November 19th, 2024, when a student reported a possible inappropriate relationship between Dunlap and a male student under the age of 18. The school placed Dunlap on administrative leave while an investigation was conducted.
Police interviews revealed that Dunlap began communicating with the student in September 2024, sending explicit photos via Snapchat. The relationship escalated on November 14th, when Dunlap allegedly picked up the student and drove to a rural area in Dubuque County, where the sexual exploitation occurred. The student subsequently blocked Dunlap on Snapchat.
Following the incident, the Dubuque Community School District confirmed that Dunlap resigned in lieu of termination. The district emphasized its cooperation with law enforcement and assured that no inappropriate contact occurred on school grounds or during school activities. Counseling services were made available for students and staff.
Police obtained a search warrant on November 21st to examine Dunlap’s smartphone and related data, leading to her arrest on Monday, January 13th, 2025. Dunlap has since made her initial court appearance and faces serious legal consequences if convicted.
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