A former Wisconsin elementary school teacher reportedly cried in court after pleading guilty Monday to having sexual contact with an 11-year-old child.
According to CBS News, Madison Bergman pleaded guilty to child enticement with sexual contact and sexual misconduct by school staff, during a plea hearing at the St. Croix County courtroom.
Bergmann reportedly took a plea deal, which dismissed several other charges, including first-degree child sexual assault.
The allegations dated back to 2023 after Bergman met the victim at River Crest Elementary School in Hudson. The victim’s parents said they noticed their son communicating daily with Bergman, who, at the time, was his 5th grade teacher.
The boy’s father went to the school with a printout of text messages between that pair, prompting the school principal to contact law enforcement.
A phone record search by law enforcement confirmed that the defendant had inappropriate contact with the student.
One message exchange showed the victim and defendant discussing “making out.”
Victim: “Haha bro I just want to make out with you.”
Bergman: “I do too! Like alllll the time.”
In another message, Bergman professed her love for the victim, telling him that she “loved him more than anyone,” but had to “be an adult and stop.”
The child told investigators that he spoke almost daily with Bergman, and that they kissed and touched each other, either after school or during lunch.
KARE 11 reports that police uncovered close to 100 letters, love notes, and artwork inside the folder in Bergman’s classroom.
Over 35,000 text messages were also found between the pair on her phone, along over 30 email exchanges.
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The victim also confirmed that Bergman had touched him inappropriately while other children were not watching.
Bergman resigned from her teaching position and police arrested her in May 2024.
In exchange for the plea deal, the prosecution said they would seek no more than 12 years in prison. Without the plea deal, she was facing 18 years behind bars.
Bergamn is scheduled for sentencing on December 22. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo via St. Croix County police]
