Family of 11-year-old who was allegedly sexually assaulted by teacher retains attorney

MT. ZION, Ill. (WAND) — Attorneys representing an 11-year-old boy who was allegedly sexually assaulted and groomed by a long-term substitute teacher with the Decatur Public School District said they plan to pursue justice against both the teacher and the district. 

>>Long-term sub with Decatur Public Schools accused of sexually assaulting 11-year-old student

Alley Bardfield, 32, was arrested on April 3 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, a Decatur resident reported a possible inappropriate relationship between Bardfield and her 11-year-old son. The victim is a 6th grade student with DPS. 

Cunningham Lopez LLP, based out of Chicago, sent WAND News the follow statement Friday: 

“On April 3, 2024, Alley Bardfield was arrested on charges of grooming and predatory criminal sexual assault of our client. The accused abused her position as a sixth-grade teacher to exploit our client’s trust and engage in reprehensible acts. 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.

"The perpetrator's predatory actions have left our client with permanent injuries that have greatly disrupted his and his family’s daily life.

"As a result, we will be pursuing justice not only against Ms. Bardfield but also the school district as a whole, which failed to properly train and supervise in order to ensure the safety and well-being of its students. We are determined to hold both the perpetrator and the school fully accountable under the law."

Cunningham Lopez LLP said they have not filed anything in court, but they are here to support the family. 

In an interview with WAND News, Aasim Cunninham, the founder of Cunningham Lopez LLP, said, the family of the victim retained them. "We want to make sure we can help the victim and their family be better equipped to handle the fallout of what's happened in the future." 

In regard to the school district, Cunningham said, "What we may look into is what steps, if any, were taken to try and prevent this from the teacher's employer. And if there were not any adequate steps taken, then we may explore that to make sure that this doesn't happen to other children in the future." 

Bardfield is no longer employed with DPS, the District told WAND News.

DPS said none of the alleged conduct occurred at a DPS school, however, "Student safety is always our top priority. We are working with Mt. Zion Police and providing support to students and staff."

WAND News also reached out to DPS on Friday after receiving the statement from the attorney representing the child. The district said, "As this is an ongoing criminal investigation, the District has no further comment."

Bardfield appeared in court Thursday afternoon. She was denied pretrial release and will remain in Macon County Jail. She will be back in court April 17. 

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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