11-year-old ‘acting differently’ tells mom of teacher’s sexual assault, IL cops say
A substitute teacher in Illinois is accused of having a sexual encounter with an 11-year-old student, police said.
Alley Bardfield, 32, of Mt. Zion, was arrested April 3 on predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13 years old and grooming charges, according to a April 4 news release from the Mt. Zion Police Department.
Bardfield was a long-term substitute sixth grade teacher in the Decatur Public Schools District.
The mother of the victim noticed her son was “acting differently” after he visited Bardfield’s house on March 29, police said.
The sixth grade student told his mother he had a “sexual encounter” with Bardfield that day, according to police.
In a joint investigation, the Mt. Zion Police Department and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office reviewed text messages, social media, and a search of Bardfield’s home, establishing enough evidence to arrest Bardfield.
“These allegations are shocking, especially when the alleged perpetrator is a person in a position of trust,” police said.
“The accused substitute teacher is no longer employed with DPS,” the district told McClatchy News on April 5. “While none of the alleged conduct occurred at a DPS school, student safety is always our top priority. We are working with Mt. Zion Police and providing support to students and staff.”
The victim’s lawyers provided a statement to McClatchy News saying they plan to take legal action against the district for failing to “properly train and supervise in order to ensure the safety and well-being of its students.”
“Ms. Bardfield’s actions have had a profound and lasting impact on our client, which will likely lead to significant physical, emotional, and psychological challenges,” attorneys said. “As a result, we will be pursuing justice not only against Ms. Bardfield but also the school district as a whole.”
Bardfield is detained at the Macon County Jail, records show.
Mt. Zion is about a 45-mile drive east from Springfield.
This story was originally published April 5, 2024 at 10:03 AM with the headline "11-year-old ‘acting differently’ tells mom of teacher’s sexual assault, IL cops say."
