MT. ZION, Ill. (WAND) — A former long-term substitute teacher with Decatur Public Schools who is accused of sexually abusing and grooming an 11-year-old student appeared in court Thursday.
Judge Rodney Forbes denied Alley Bardfield's request for pre-trial release due to the serious nature of the charges against her.
Bardfield, 33, was arrested on April 3, 2024 by Mt. Zion Police on charges of grooming and predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13. The class X felony is punishable by 6 to 60 years in prison.
Mt. Zion Police said that on April 2, 2024, a Decatur resident reported a possible inappropriate relationship between Bardfield and her 11-year-old son. The victim was a 6th grade student with DPS.
The victim's mother said her son had been acting differently after a visit to Bardfield's home. As a result, she said she checked her son's phone and social media. Her son said he had a sexual encounter with Bardfield while he was a guest at her Mt. Zion residence on March 29, 2024, police said.
On April 3, 2024, officers with Mt. Zion Police and deputies from the Macon County Sheriff's Office conducted a joint investigation which included executing a search warrant at Bardfield's residence and a review of her text messages and social media accounts.
According to a sworn statement from a Mt. Zion officer, the child's mother said that Bardfield had sent the child over $700 through CashApp over the prior months.
During a mirandized interview with Bardfield, she admitted to having sexual penetration with the victim on one occasion. She also stated that she paid him via CashApp and exchanged nude photographs on Snapchat.
Bardfield is no longer employed with Decatur Public Schools.
Her next court date is set for July 10th.
Copyright 2025 WAND TV. All rights reserved.
