An Illinois substitute teacher has admitted to engaging in sexual activities with her 11-year-old student, which took place during “play dates” at her residence, according to reports.

Former Decatur Public Schools teacher, 34-year-old Alley Bardfield, is now awaiting sentencing in September following her guilty plea to predatory criminal sexual assault, as reported by WCIA.

According to a lawsuit by the victim’s parents, the student had several “play dates” at Bardfield’s home in Mt. Zion throughout 2023 and 2024.

After noticing a change in her son’s behavior post-visit to Bardfield’s home, the victim’s mother inspected his phone and social media. In a subsequent conversation, her son confessed to having a sexual encounter with Bardfield on March 29, 2024, while visiting her Mt. Zion residence, as stated by the Mt. Zion police last year.

An exterior view of the Hope Academy school in Decatur, Ill. (Google Maps)

The victim was a sixth-grade student with DPS District 61, and Alley Bardfield had been a long-term substitute teacher for his class, the police mentioned.

Bardfield reportedly was let go from her position following her arrest.  

Bardfield also confessed during police interviews to having sexual relations with the student, giving him money via CashApp, and sending nude photos on SnapChat, according to WCIA.

Bardfield admitted to sending the boy nude images in SnapChat, a report said. (Chesnot/Getty Images)

Bardfield faces up to 40 years in prison, reports said.