Updated: December 23, 2025
In the quiet community of Hudson, Wisconsin, the name Madison Bergmann once represented a young educator starting her career in elementary education. Today, it serves as a sobering reminder of how trust in schools can be betrayed. This post explores the timeline, key details, and broader implications of the case involving the former fifth-grade teacher at River Crest Elementary School. While the story is deeply troubling, understanding the facts helps highlight the importance of child safety and professional boundaries in education.
Table of Contents
Who Was Madison Bergmann?
Madison Bergmann, originally from the St. Paul/Lake Elmo area in Minnesota, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 2022 with a degree in education. She began her teaching role at River Crest Elementary School in the Hudson School District in August 2022, where she taught fifth grade. Prior to full-time teaching, she worked for nearly three years at Sylvan Learning in Hudson, gaining experience in tutoring and student support.
At 24 years old when the allegations surfaced, Bergmann appeared to be building a promising career. She was even engaged to be married in July 2024. However, events in early 2024 changed everything, leading to her arrest, resignation, and eventual conviction.
The Allegations and Investigation
The case began in May 2024 when the parents of an 11-year-old fifth-grade student discovered disturbing text messages exchanged with their son’s teacher. Police were called to River Crest Elementary School after the principal reported possible inappropriate conduct.
Investigators uncovered:
- Over 35,000 text messages between Bergmann and the student over just a few months (February to April 2024)
- Nearly three dozen emails describing physical contact and kissing
- Almost 100 handwritten notes and artwork found in a folder in Bergmann’s backpack, many expressing affection and referencing “making out” or touching
The student reported multiple incidents of kissing and caressing in the classroom during lunch or after school. Bergmann was arrested on May 1, 2024, and resigned from the Hudson School District on May 13.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Initially charged with one count of first-degree child sexual assault of a child under 13, prosecutors later added nine more counts in August 2024. These included:
- Child enticement
- Sexual misconduct by school staff (multiple counts)
- Use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime
- Exposing a child to harmful descriptions
In September 2025, Bergmann entered a guilty plea to three counts: one count of child enticement and two counts of sexual misconduct by school staff. Several other serious charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
During court appearances, Bergmann was emotional, often breaking down in tears. She expressed taking “full accountability” for crossing boundaries, but the case drew widespread attention due to the volume of communications and the young age of the victim.
Case Overview Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Madison Lynn Bergmann |
| Age at Arrest | 24 (born ~2000) |
| Age at Sentencing | 26 |
| School & Position | Fifth-grade teacher, River Crest Elementary, Hudson, WI (2022–2024) |
| Arrest Date | May 1, 2024 |
| Initial Charge | First-degree child sexual assault |
| Total Original Counts | 10 felonies |
| Guilty Plea Date | September 29, 2025 |
| Plea Counts | 1x Child enticement, 2x Sexual misconduct by school staff |
| Sentencing Date | December 19, 2025 |
| Sentence | 6 years prison + 6 years extended supervision |
| Additional Requirements | Sex offender registration, no contact with minors without approval, restricted internet/social media use |
Conclusion: Lessons for Child Safety in Schools
The Madison Bergmann case is heartbreaking for everyone involved—the victim, their family, the school community, and even those who knew Bergmann before the allegations. It underscores how quickly inappropriate relationships can escalate through digital communication and why strict boundaries are essential in education.
Schools across the country continue to strengthen safeguards, including better monitoring of teacher-student interactions, training on grooming behaviors, and clear reporting protocols. Parents and educators must stay vigilant, fostering open conversations about online safety and appropriate adult-child relationships.
While this story is difficult, it serves as a call to prioritize the protection of children above all else. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, resources like child protective services or organizations such as RAINN are available for support.
What are your thoughts on how schools can prevent cases like this? Share in the comments below. Stay informed, stay safe.