SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A sex case involving a student and an adult worker at a Sioux City high school has exposed a gap in an Iowa law designed to protect students from exploitation. The Sioux City Journal reports that if an employee is not a licensed teacher, aide or coach, there may be little the state’s justice system can do.

Iowa law defines a school employee as an administrator, teacher or licensed individual, or someone with a coaching authorization. It doesn’t cover non-teachers, volunteers or contract employees. Erick Deleon was employed by a Des Moines-based nonprofit when he became involved with a 16-year-old participant in his program at Sioux City’s North High School. Deleon was convicted of sexual exploitation by a school employee, but a judge noted the gap in state law.