A Wisconsin teacher was engaged to be married and planning her wedding for late July when an alleged affair came to light and halted her plans. But the other man in the bride-to-be's life wasn't a man at all; he was reportedly an 11-year-old fifth grader at the school where she taught.
Madison Bergmann, 24, allegedly began an affair with the child after she went skiing with him and his mother during winter break.
The teacher and student's relationship was reportedly discovered when his parents went through his phone and found a graphic exchange between the pair that pointed to a sexual relationship. After the allegations came to light, Bergmann was promptly arrested, and her wedding was canceled.
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Bergmann appeared to have a busy December.
According to the New York Post, the teacher got engaged to Sam Hickman in December 2023. This was the same month she went skiing with the boy and his mother during a trip to the Afton Alps over winter break.
At the time, the child's mother reportedly gave Bergmann his phone number in case the boy was separated from the adults during the trip. WCCO reported that the boy's mother allegedly heard him talking to Bergmann on the phone and quickly realized something more sinister was going on.
The victim's mother took his phone and reportedly made a shocking discovery.
The mother allegedly found multiple text conversations between Bergmann and her son about the pair "making out." The parents contacted River Crest Elementary School in Hudson, Wisconsin, and reported Bergmann's strange behavior, according to court documents obtained by WCCO.
Police spoke with the child, who reportedly led them to his backpack, where they found a folder filled with handwritten notes.
The teacher reportedly shared some strange things with the boy.
In one of the notes, the teacher allegedly wrote about a member of her family.
"One of my cousins is in the 5th grade, and I can't imagine a man talking to her how we talk. I know we have a special relationship, and I do love you more than anyone in the world, but I have to be the adult here and stop," the note reportedly read.
Bergmann was soon behind bars.
The teacher was promptly arrested and charged with one count of first-degree child sexual assault with a person under the age of 13. She posted a $25,000 signature bond and is not allowed near the school or at school events. She is due in court on May 30.
Principal Kimberly Osterhues wrote a message to the parents. "We are shocked and disturbed by this news. Our greatest concern is for the River Crest School community and the children impacted," the letter reads, per WCCO.
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Her wedding is apparently off.
Per the Post, a friend who wished to remain anonymous said Hickman called off the wedding and is devastated.
"It's been indefinitely postponed," the friend told the Post. "And it probably won't happen. Sam is really upset and heartbroken. He's embarrassed and p—ed. He didn't deserve this. Everyone is p—ed."
The friend added that the couple decided to call off the wedding, but Hickman can't believe this happened. "Not only did she cheat on him, but she cheated with a little kid," the source reiterated.
