Former DPS teacher accused of child sexual assault appeared in court

DECATUR, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — The former Decatur Public School substitute teacher accused of having inappropriate relations with a minor appears in a Macon County court on Wednesday.

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Alley Bardfield, 32, is facing charges of criminal sexual assault of a child.

Bardfield appeared before a judge entered a not-guilty plea to the charges against her.

She was arrested and charged after the victim’s mother reported the incident to police.

According to court records, Bardfield and the minor exchanged numerous text messages after the child spent the night at her Mt. Zion home on March 29th.

The sworn police statement also states the two exchanged messages and inappropriate photos on other apps, and that Bardfield sent the minor hundreds of dollars on Cash App over the past few months.

Bardfield was initially accused of grooming as well but is now being charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor.

“Grooming charge is a much less serious criminal offense. I felt that we had a very strong case with respect to the more serious charge, so I didn't want to get distracted basically on that when we’ve got the most serious charge filed," said Macon County state's attorney Scott Rueter.

Bardfield was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing, but she waived that right and entered a not-guilty plea instead.

“We waived our right to a preliminary hearing, which means we waived our right to have evidence presented that there was probable cause for a crime in this particular case. Then we asked them to be sent over for a pretrial on June 5," said defense attorney Kevin Sanborn.

In an interview with police, Bardfield admitted to having sexual relations with the minor on one occasion. She stated the 11-year-old made sexual advances toward her on the night of the incident.

Her next court date is set for June.

If Bardfield is found guilty of the felony charge, she could face up to 60 years in prison and register as a sex offender for life.