A substitute teacher who engaged in sexual acts with an 11-year-old student during overnight stays at her residence has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Alley Bardfield, 34, a former substitute for Decatur Public Schools, entered a plea deal admitting to felony predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.
Court documents reveal that the misconduct came to light after the sixth-grade victim’s mother discovered $700 in CashApp payments from Bardfield following her son’s stay at the teacher’s home on March 29, 2024. The boy disclosed having unprotected sex with Bardfield during the visit. Initially accused of grooming, Bardfield admitted to a single instance of sexual contact with the child during police questioning but later claimed the student had initiated the relationship.
Bardfield exchanged explicit messages and photos with the boy via Snapchat and sent him hundreds of dollars over several months. The court determined that probation would be inappropriate given the severity of her crimes. The case highlights concerns about the safety of minors in educational settings and the accountability of adults entrusted with their care.