HUDSON, Wis. — A former elementary school teacher in Hudson is now set to stand trial after a preliminary hearing on Monday.
Madison Bergmann is facing 10 felony charges for allegedly starting an inappropriate relationship with her fifth grade student.
Among the charges included in the amended complaint filed against Bergmann on Aug. 15 are child enticement, sexual misconduct by school staff and use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.
Bergmann was arrested and charged in early May after the principal of River Crest Elementary called Hudson police to report possible inappropriate conduct between a teacher and one of her fifth grade students. Investigators were shown screenshots of a text conversation between Bergmann and the boy, with her talking about how much she enjoyed the child touching her and the pair "making out."
The school resource officer, Traci Hall, who interviewed the victim, took the stand Monday. She told the district attorney that Bergmann and the boy would talk every day. He also told Hall that the two kissed several times after school or during lunch break.
A search of Bergmann's bag also uncovered handwritten notes between the teacher and her student. Nearly 100 letters, love notes and artwork between the two were later recovered from Bergmann's classroom.
Bergmann's counsel, well-known defense attorney Joe Tamburino, tried to argue the state's definition of certain body parts and whether the victim was specifically touched there. It was a contentious argument that the judge called nuanced.
"I already concluded based upon a number of cases we cited and walked through together that it isn't necessary for that specific word to be used," said Judge Scott Nordstrand.
Prosecutors say a forensic search of the two cell phones also revealed 33,000 text messages between Bergmann and her student, while a search of Bergmann's computer uncovered nearly three dozen emails exchanged between the two.
Judge Nordstrand ruled the state proved there was enough probable cause and the case will continue. Bergmann is expected to be arraigned on Nov. 7.
Neither she or Tamburino responded to KARE 11's questions for comments after Monday's hearing.
"No, nothing today, thank you," said Tamburino outside the courtroom.