Wisconsin teacher sentenced to six years for sexual relationship with 11-year-old; affair included 35,000 text messages, notes

A Wisconsin teacher was sentenced to six years in prison and another six years of supervision after pleading guilty to having a sexual relationship with an 11-year-old student.

Madison Bergmann, 26, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of child enticement and two counts of sexual misconduct, People reported, citing local media.

Bergmann taught fifth grade at River Crest Elementary School in Hudson, about 30 miles east of Minneapolis, where she reportedly kissed one of her students during lunch and after school. 

An investigation found 35,000 text messages – about 300 per day – between Bergmann and the boy, with her telling him how she enjoyed “making out” with him and that she got excited when he touched her leg. Investigators also found about 100 handwritten love notes, KARE 11 reported. 

The teacher had asked for a one-year prison sentence, but prosecutors requested 12 years. 

A handcuffed Bergmann burst into tears when her sentence was handed down, as seen in a video aired by KARE 11. 

The teacher, who was wearing an orange jumpsuit, said she took “full accountability for every boundary that was crossed” and hoped the boy could find some healing. 

The victim’s father said his son was being teased about the relationship and that the boy said he would “have to live with this forever” and had asked for Bergmann to receive a “forever” punishment. 

The father called her conduct “very deliberate,” and the sexual content of the messages “very disturbing stuff.” 

(Image credit: Screenshot / YouTube / KARE 11)