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A FORMER substitute teacher pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy.
Alley Bardfield, 34, was accused last year of sexually abusing a student after she invited him back to her home.
The lawsuit was filed by the young boy’s family, who claimed the teacher would invite the child over for “play dates,” People reported.
Bardfield pleaded guilty last week while at a disposition hearing.
The substitute teacher for the Decatur Public Schools in Illinois was first discovered last April.
There were reports of the boy visiting Bardfield’s home in 2023, with two additional visits in April 2024.
It was previously reported that the boy stayed at the teacher’s home for at least one night.
A sixth-grade student revealed to his mother that he had a sexual encounter with his teacher after behaving differently following a visit to Bardfield’s home.
The Mt. Zion Police Department noted in a statement that “the victim’s mother observed her son’s unusual behavior after he came back from Bradfield’s house.”
“As a result, she checked her son’s phone and social media.
“In a subsequent conversation with her son, he revealed that he had a sexual encounter with Bardfield while staying at her home in Mt. Zion on March 29, 2024.”
While looking through his phone, the mother discovered an exchange of sexual messages as well as a shocking exchange of money.
The teacher sent the boy up to $700 via CashApp.
The officers also conducted a thorough search of the child’s phone, which included a review of text messages and social media.
Following the investigation, officers discovered supporting evidence and determined there was enough cause to arrest Alley E. Bardfield for predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13 and grooming.
Law enforcement also obtained a warrant for Bardfield’s home, which resulted in the arrest of the teacher.
Mt. Zion Police Department 2024 Statement
April 4, 2024
MT. ZION, ILLINOIS – On April 3rd, Alley E. Bardfield, a 32-year-old woman from Mt. Zion, was taken into custody by the Mt. Zion Police Department and Macon County Sheriff’s Office.
A day earlier, on April 2nd, a resident of Decatur reported to Mt. Zion Police a concerning relationship between her 11-year-old son, a sixth grader at DPS District 61, and Alley E. Bardfield, who was a long-term substitute teacher in his class.
The victim’s mother reported noticing her son acting differently after a visit to Bradfield’s house. As a result, she checked her son’s phone and social media. In a follow-up discussion with her son, he disclosed having had a sexual encounter with Bardfield while a guest at her Mt. Zion residence on March 29, 2024.
On April 3rd, officers with the Mt. Zion Police Department and deputies from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint investigation which included a thorough review of text messages, social media, and a search warrant executed at the suspect’s residence. As a result of this investigation, corroborating evidence was discovered and probable cause was established to arrest Alley E. Bardfield for predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13 years of age and grooming. The Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office will review the facts of this case for formal charging decisions. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to call the Mt. Zion Police Department at 217-864-4012.
These allegations are shocking, especially when the alleged perpetrator is a person in a position of trust. The Mt. Zion Police Department is fully committed to working with victims and their families as they deal with the trauma that results from these incidents.
The complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.
“These allegations are shocking, especially when the alleged perpetrator is a person in a position of trust,” the department ended its statement.
“The Mt. Zion Police Department is fully committed to working with victims and their families as they deal with the trauma that results from these incidents.”
Bardfield told CBS affiliate WCIA that the boy initially made advances towards her.
The teacher reached a partial plea deal in which she pleaded guilty to one count against her.
Although she pleaded guilty, a sentence has not been determined.
Bardfield faces up to 40 years in prison for her conviction.
She will be sentenced on September 25.
