A married teacher is accused of grooming an 11-year-old boy with nude photos and $700 until they had sex in her bed.
Ashley Elizabeth Bardfield, 32, was arrested Wednesday night in Mt Zion, Illinois, after the boy helped police with an undercover operation.
The sixth-grade substitute teacher in the Decatur Public School District was recorded telling the boy that they could “do it again” and that she couldn’t get pregnant.
Bardfield was reported to police after the boy’s mother noticed him “acting differently” after spending the night at the teacher’s home from March 29 to 30.
She checked his phone and allegedly found text messages between him and Bardfield and photos of them, including one of them “turning off the camera.”
Ashley Elizabeth Bardfield, 32, was arrested Wednesday night in Mt Zion, Illinois, after the boy helped police with an undercover operation.
The horrified mother also discovered that the teacher had allegedly sent her student around $700 over several months.
‘[She] “He confronted his son about this situation and the boy disclosed that he had unprotected sexual intercourse with Alley Bardfield on the night of March 29,” an arrest affidavit from Mt Zion Police reads.
The mother took him to HSHS St John’s Hospital, where staff administered a rape kit.
Detectives interviewed the boy Wednesday morning and he told them Bardfield took her to his room where they kissed and she took off both of their clothes.
They then had sex in her bed, which she often shares with her husband, Casey Newton Bardfield, a construction worker.
The affidavit does not explain why the boy stayed at his teacher’s house while his family was away.
The boy also told police that he and Bardfield allegedly exchanged nude Snapchat photos, according to the affidavit.
Police devised a plan with the boy and his mother to get Bardfield to incriminate himself in text messages and recorded calls with him.
The boy sent her a message telling her that he was leaving town, but that he hoped to see her again when he returned.
‘I love you and miss you. Alley. When I get back I’ll see if I can come,” she wrote.
Bardfield allegedly responded: “You’re always welcome.” I love and miss you too.”
Bardfield (left) faced Macon County Circuit Court on Thursday, where she spoke only to confirm her understanding, and was told she faced six to 60 years in prison if convicted.
Police obtained a warrant to wiretap and had the boy call Bardfield later that day, when she told him “her tubes are tied and she can’t get pregnant.”
‘The victim asked Alley if he was coming this weekend…if they could ‘do it again’. Alley responded “Yes,” the affidavit continues.
Police arrested Bardfield hours later and she allegedly admitted to the crime, but claimed the boy “made sexual advances toward her.”
Detectives also did “a thorough review of text messages, social media and a search warrant executed at the suspect’s residence.”
Bardfield was charged with grooming and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13 years of age.
She appeared in Macon County Circuit Court on Thursday, where she spoke only to confirm her understanding, and was told she faced six to 60 years in prison if convicted.
The teacher would also have to register as a sex offender for life.
He did not apply for bail and will remain behind bars until his next court appearance on April 17.
Bardfield and her husband are die-hard Chicago Cubs fans, and even named two of their four children after Cubs players or something related.
The boy’s family planned to sue the school district for failing to properly train and supervise staff 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,” her attorneys said in a statement.
“As a result, we will seek justice not only against Ms. Bardfield but also against the school district as a whole.”
Bardfield was a long-term substitute teacher for the school district, including DPS District 61, where the alleged victim was a student.
The Decatur Public School District said he no longer had a job.
‘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,” she said.
