Wisconsin Elementary Teacher Sentenced for Sexual Misconduct and Enticement of 11-Year-Old Student
Madison Bergmann exchanged 35,000 texts and engaged in physical contact with fifth-grader before parents uncovered the abuse
ST. CROIX COUNTY, Wis. — A 26-year-old elementary school teacher in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, Madison Bergmann, was sentenced to six years in prison followed by six years of extended supervision after pleading guilty to one count of child enticement and two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. The victim was an 11-year-old fifth-grade boy at St. Croix Falls Elementary School. Court documents revealed that Bergmann exchanged approximately 35,000 text messages with the child, including discussions about "making out" and other inappropriate conduct, as well as allegations of kissing, touching, and sexual contact during school hours.
The inappropriate relationship began after Bergmann obtained the boy's phone number during a school skiing trip over winter break, leading to near-daily communication. Authorities also recovered 100 handwritten notes and artwork exchanged between them. One text from Bergmann read: "Dude I love you so much more — like I didn't think it was possible...." During sentencing on December 19, Bergmann sobbed and addressed the court, stating: “I want to make it absolutely clear that I take full accountability for every boundary that was crossed,” and expressed hope that the victim's family could begin to heal.
The case was discovered when the boy's parents found the messages on his phone, prompting his father to confront Bergmann in her classroom with printed copies of the conversations. Bergmann, who was engaged and scheduled to marry in July 2024, had requested only one year in prison, while prosecutors sought 12 years; the judge imposed the six-year sentence as a compromise.
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