Madison Bergman’s ex-fiance remains in contact with her Wisconsin fifth-grade teacher, friends said, even after Bergman was arrested for allegedly “flirting” with an 11-year-old student in the classroom.
“As far as I know, they’re still in contact,” said a friend who had been invited to the couple’s cancelled July 27 wedding.
“But obviously everything has changed. He suffered a really terrible betrayal, but he loved madly, and that can’t be erased so easily.”
Now Bergman is hiding out on her grandparents’ farm and avoiding most of her former friends, including the bridal party from her canceled wedding.
“She seems embarrassed to see us face to face,” a friend told The Post. “She’s trying not to contact anyone, which is to be expected.”
Bergman, 24, is charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.
According to the indictment, obtained by The Washington Post, Bergman allegedly began a lewd relationship with an 11-year-old student while he was a teacher at River Crest Elementary School.
She allegedly kissed him several times in the classroom after school while other students were eating lunch, and she also allegedly moved his desk closer to hers so she could rub his legs during class, according to police.
Her lewd behavior came to light when the boy’s parents found obscene messages on his phone, and the boy’s infuriated father printed out the messages and stormed into the front office, sparking an investigation, according to court records.
“He really caused a stir,” said a school official who witnessed the crazy father arrive at the school.
Police searched Bergman’s backpack and found a manila folder with the victims’ names written on it, along with several handwritten letters, the release said.
“In the notes, she communicated that she loved him, that she wanted to kiss him, that she was turned on by him, and that she was infatuated with him,” the lawsuit alleges.
In another letter, Bergman reportedly wrote, “One of my cousins is in the fifth grade and I can’t imagine a guy talking to her the way we do. We have a special relationship and I love you more than anything in the world but as an adult you need to stop.”
When confronted with the letter, Bergman asserted his right to an attorney, authorities said.
Bergman was released on $25,000 bail. His lawyer did not respond to The Washington Post’s request for comment. He is scheduled to appear in court next month.
As the case continues to unfold, those who knew Bergman are still struggling with the fallout from her alleged actions.
“At first everyone was just shocked,” said a friend who had been invited to the wedding, which has since been cancelled.
“But now there are a lot of hurt feelings. Betrayal. And sympathy for the boy and his family. There’s a lot of destruction in front of her.”
