Elena Bardin, a 27-year-old former English teacher at a juvenile detention center in Kentucky, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. The charges against her include first-degree sexual abuse and unlawful transaction with a minor, involving a 17-year-old inmate at the Adair County Juvenile Detention Center.
Bardin, who is also a mother to a five-year-old girl, was accused of engaging in explicit sexual contact with the teenager. The case came to light in April when a routine search of the teenager’s room revealed approximately 193 sexually explicit letters and photos, allegedly sent by Bardin.
In addition to the sexual abuse charges, Bardin was also accused of soliciting the teenager to murder her husband. However, the jury acquitted her of this charge. The teenager testified during the trial that he had no intention of carrying out the alleged murder plot, describing their illicit relationship as a way to pass time while he was incarcerated.
Circuit Judge Samuel Spalding, during the sentencing, noted that Bardin had admitted to having sexual contact with the inmate in one of her letters. He described the letters as explicit and inappropriate, adding that as an educator, Bardin should have set a better example.
Judge Spalding also mentioned that Bardin had been warned by her supervisor to end the relationship and stay away from the teenager. The teenager was even moved to another section of the detention center. However, Bardin did not heed the advice and continued her inappropriate behavior.
The explicit letters also suggested that Bardin had subjected the teenager to sexual contact and had plotted to have him kill her husband. Bardin, who did not testify during the two-day trial, will be required to register as a sex offender for the next 20 years.