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ADAIR COUNTY, KENTUCKY — A 27-year-old English teacher who worked at a juvenile detention center has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing a 17-year-old inmate and sending him letters that prosecutors say included a plan to kill her husband.
Elena Bardin, a married mother of one, was found guilty of first-degree sexual abuse and unlawful transaction with a minor following a two-day jury trial. She was acquitted of a separate charge of solicitation to commit murder. The abuse occurred while she was employed at the Adair County Juvenile Detention Center, where she taught English.
Over 190 Explicit Letters Found
Bardin’s arrest in April followed a routine search of the inmate’s room, where authorities discovered approximately 193 sexually explicit letters and photos sent by Bardin. In at least one letter, she admitted to engaging in sexual contact with the inmate.
Judge Samuel Spalding delivered a scathing statement at sentencing, sharply criticizing the content of the letters.
"The letters you sent were the kind of things you’d expect in a triple-X movie. Completely inappropriate, obviously, and I think you know that for a young man that age," Spalding said in court.
He also noted that Bardin had previously been warned by her supervisor to end contact with the teen, who was eventually moved to another part of the facility. "Not only did you ignore that advice, you doubled down on the behavior. And that is extremely concerning," Spalding added.
Letters Contained Murder Plot Allegations
Investigators testified that some of the letters detailed Bardin's desire to have her husband killed. While Bardin was not convicted on the murder solicitation charge, the letters were introduced as evidence during trial. The juvenile later testified that the idea was never serious and that their relationship was just "a way to kill time" during his incarceration.
Bardin chose not to testify in her own defense.
She will be required to register as a sex offender for 20 years following her release.
For more cases related to teacher misconduct, sex offender sentencing, and disturbing criminal plots, check out our video here:
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