Decatur Public Schools sued by family of student allegedly sexually abused by substitute teacher

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DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) – The family of a sixth-grader who was allegedly sexually abused by his substitute teacher is now suing Decatur Public Schools.

Alley Bardfield, 34, was charged with sexual assault after allegedly having sexual intercourse with one of her male students at Hope Academy in Decatur. After her arrest, she was fired from Decatur Public Schools. Both Bardfield and the Decatur Public School District are named in the lawsuit, filed Friday in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

Bardfield pleaded not guilty in April.

The charges in the lawsuit include negligent supervision, negligent restraint and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

“The policies, practices and customs (of the Decatur Board of Education) fostered a climate conducive to abuse, sexual solicitation and sexual assault against its students,” the lawsuit states.

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The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Education violated Erin’s Law, which requires school employees to receive training on sexual assault prevention, by hiring Bardfield, who did not receive appropriate training after she was hired in October 2023.

“The defendant Bardfield has, before and after her
Recruitment at Hope Academy, including training on adult sexual misconduct, ethics regarding sexual
misconduct, recognizing and reporting child abuse, and Title IX training,” the lawsuit states.

The complaint also details that the victim obtained Bardfield’s phone number from a classmate who hosted several “play dates” at her home in 2023. At one point, the 11-year-old showed up, and he was the only child besides Bardfield’s own children.

The victim later visited her in 2024, including one time where Bardfield’s children were sleeping and their legs touched while watching television. Bardfield texted the defendant after that night, “I think you’re cute.”

In March 2024, according to the lawsuit, the victim went to the substitute teacher’s house. The first time, Bardfield had oral sex with the sixth-grader, and the second time, she had vaginal intercourse.

After the second encounter, the sixth-grader told Bardfield he did not want to continue the relationship. The lawsuit alleges that Bardfield subsequently went through the victim’s phone in her makeshift classroom during recess to delete TikTok messages between them.

The lawsuit states that the student underwent psychological treatment after the relationship ended.

“Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer, among other things, severe and persistent psychological and emotional distress, physical manifestations of the above-mentioned emotional distress, and a diminished ability to enjoy his life, and is therefore entitled to damages from Defendants,” the complaint states.

WCIA reached out to a Decatur Public Schools spokesperson for comment on the lawsuit but did not receive a response.

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