A former teacher in Hudson, Wisconsin, has reached a plea deal after she was charged with having an alleged inappropriate relationship with a fifth grade student.
A plea hearing took place on Monday, September 29, in which former River Crest Elementary teacher Madison Bergmann pleaded guilty to charges of child enticement-sexual contact, sexual misconduct by school staff or volunteer and sexual misconduct by school staff or volunteer, according to local outlet WEAU.
In return for her guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed to request no more than 12 years in prison for Bergmann, 25, according to Kare 11. She was originally facing up to 18 years behind bars. While the state agreed to give her a more lenient sentencing amid the plea deal, Kare 11 reported that prosecutors made it clear they will seek a significant sentence for her.
Bergmann’s sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place on December 22, according to online records viewed by WEAU.
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She was arrested and charged in May 2024 after the school’s principal called Hudson police to report possible inappropriate conduct between her and one of her fifth grade students, according to WEAU. An investigation was launched into the situation, and officials viewed screenshots of a text conversation between Bergmann and the boy. During the conversation, Bergmann said how much she enjoyed the boy touching her and “making out” with him.
Bergmann’s bag was also searched, and handwritten notes between her and the student were discovered. The duo exchanged nearly 100 letters, love notes and artwork, which were eventually found in Bergmann’s classroom, according to WEAU.
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When the boy was interviewed by police, he confirmed that he and Bergmann had touched each other in the classroom when the other students were unable to see them. Additionally, he said that they had kissed several times after school or during their lunch break, according to Kare 11.
In light of the scandal, Bergmann resigned her position with the Hudson Public Schools on May 13, 2024, according to Kare 11.
