Madison Bergmann, Former Hudson Teacher, Sentenced to 6 Years for Sexual Misconduct with 11-Year-Old Student

Madison Bergmann, 26, a former fifth-grade teacher at River Crest Elementary School in Hudson, Wisconsin, was sentenced Friday to six years in prison followed by six years of extended supervision for an inappropriate sexual relationship with an 11-year-old student, authorities reported.

The victim told the court that Bergmann’s actions “didn’t just break school rules — it broke my childhood,” highlighting the profound impact of her misconduct.

According to court records, Bergmann sent the boy more than 35,000 text messages during the 2023–24 school year and engaged in multiple physical encounters, including kissing him in her classroom either after school or during lunch. Investigators also found a folder containing handwritten love notes exchanged between Bergmann and the student.

Bergmann pleaded guilty in September to one count of child enticement with sexual contact and two counts of sexual misconduct by school staff as part of a plea deal. Several additional charges—including first-degree child sexual assault, use of a computer to commit a sex crime, and exposure of a child to harmful material—were dismissed under the agreement.

St. Croix Circuit Judge Scott Nordstrand, who imposed the sentence, described Bergmann’s actions as “deliberate, purposeful” and “devastating to the victim.” Bergmann had faced a potential maximum sentence of 18 years in prison, though the state had agreed to a cap of 12 years under the plea deal.

As part of her sentence, Bergmann will be on extended supervision for six years after her release. She will also be required to register as a sexual offender for life and will face restrictions on internet and social media use, along with a prohibition on unsupervised contact with minors.

The misconduct came to light when the student’s mother discovered inappropriate contact between Bergmann and her son in April 2024. The boy’s father then found the 35,000 messages, which included discussions of sexual topics and intimate encounters, prompting a police investigation.

During sentencing, Bergmann addressed the court, taking responsibility for her actions. “I want to make it absolutely clear that I take full accountability for every boundary that was crossed,” she said, expressing remorse for the harm caused to the boy and his family.

Court records indicate Bergmann was engaged at the time of her arrest but her upcoming wedding was canceled following the charges.