Substitute teacher arrested for alleged misconduct with 6th grader

DECATUR, Ill. (WICS/WCCU) — A longtime substitute teacher in Illinois was arrested and is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Alley Bardfield, was booked in Macon County Jail on Wednesday and is facing charges of grooming and predatory criminal sexual assault, according to police records. The victim is a 6th-grade student with Decatur Public Schools. Bardfield was a long-term substitute teacher assigned to his 6th grade class.

On Tuesday, a Decatur resident spoke to Mt. Zion Police and reported a possible inappropriate relationship between her 11-year-old son and Bardfield.

The victim’s mother reported noticing her son acting differently after a visit to Bardfield’s house. As a result, she checked her son’s phone and social media. In a follow-up discussion with her son, he disclosed having had a sexual encounter with Bardfield while a guest at her Mt. Zion residence on March 29.

On Wednesday, officers with the Mt. Zion Police Department and deputies from the Macon County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint investigation which included a thorough review of text messages, social media, and a search warrant executed at the suspect’s residence.

As a result of this investigation, corroborating evidence was discovered and probable cause was established to arrest Bardfield for predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13 years of age and grooming.

Decatur Public Schools says Bardfield is no longer employed with DPS.

We're told none of the alleged conduct occurred at a DPS school.

DPS is working with the Mt. Zion Police Department and providing support to students and staff.

This is an ongoing investigation.