A former substitute teacher, Alley Bardfield, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy. Bardfield, a 34-year-old mother of three who previously worked at Decatur Public Schools in Illinois, was arrested in April 2024 at her home in Mt. Zion after the boy assisted police in a sting operation.
She pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, admitting that she lured the sixth grader to her home under the guise of “play dates” and then raped him. The incident came to light when the boy’s mother noticed his unusual behavior after a sleepover at Bardfield’s house from March 29 to March 30.
Text messages and photos between Bardfield and the boy were discovered on the boy’s mobile phone. The boy disclosed to his mother that he had engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse with Bardfield on March 29. Subsequently, the boy was taken to HSHS St. John’s Hospital where a rape kit was administered.
According to the police report, Bardfield took the boy to her bedroom, where they kissed, undressed, and the assault took place. It remains unclear why the boy was staying at Bardfield’s residence while her family was absent.
Police devised a plan with the boy and his mother to gather incriminating evidence against Bardfield through text messages and recorded calls. Bardfield was arrested at her home after allegedly confessing to the crime, although she claimed the boy had made advances towards her.
Following the allegations, Decatur Public Schools terminated Bardfield’s employment, and she eventually pleaded guilty as part of a deal reached 16 months later. She received a 10-year prison sentence, with credit for time served and half credit for time spent in Macon County Jail.
Despite the judge expressing optimism about Bardfield’s rehabilitation potential, the sentencing decision caused outrage among the child’s family, who left the courtroom promptly. Macon County State’s Attorney Diane Couri supported a 40-year prison term recommendation, emphasizing the seriousness of crimes against children and the need for appropriate punishment for offenses committed by individuals in positions of trust like substitute teachers.
Couri reiterated the commitment of her office to pursuing just sentences in cases involving vulnerable victims, emphasizing the lasting trauma experienced by victims of sexual offenses.
