Kentucky teacher of kids behind bars accused of explicit abuse and coercing the incarcerated minor to kill her husband

Content warning: This article describes child sexual abuse. Please take care while reading.

A Kentucky teacher who once worked with incarcerated minors is facing more than a decade behind bars after a jury convicted her of sexually abusing a teen detainee. She was, however, acquitted of the allegation that she tried to convince the boy to kill her husband.

Police arrested Elena Bardin, now 28, and a former instructor at the Adair County Juvenile Detention Center, in April 2025 after investigators uncovered a series of explicit letters and images she sent to a male juvenile in her class. According to court records, Bardin’s messages escalated from sexual contact to discussions of murdering her husband, whom she reportedly described as an obstacle to her relationship with the teen.

Explicit abuse and solitication of murder

Authorities said the discovery came during a routine search of a dormitory at the juvenile center in late March, when staff found explicit materials hidden in the boy’s bunk. The ensuing investigation by the Kentucky State Police led to Bardin’s arrest on charges including solicitation of murder, first-degree sexual abuse, and distributing obscene matter to a minor.

At Bardin’s two-day trial in September 2025, prosecutors argued that the teacher had exploited her position of authority over the incarcerated teen, grooming him through contraband letters and encouraging him to kill her husband to prove his devotion.

The defense countered that the prosecution took the alleged murder discussion out of context and that Bardin meant it as “dark humor,” not a genuine plan.

Jurors ultimately sided with the defense on that point, acquitting Bardin of the murder-solicitation charge. However, they found her guilty of three other felonies: first-degree sexual abuse, unlawful transaction with a minor, and distributing obscene material to a minor.

Bardin’s attorney is seeking a new trial

The jury recommended an up to 14-year prison sentence, with the terms for each conviction to run consecutively. A formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 13, 2025, in Adair County. Bardin’s attorney has filed motions seeking a new trial, arguing that the minor’s testimony was inconsistent and that prosecutors overstated evidence of coercion. If the court upholds the jury’s recommendation, Bardin could serve one of the longest prison terms ever imposed in Kentucky for educator sexual misconduct involving an incarcerated minor.

If you know someone suffering from sexual violence, contact RAINN or the National Sexual Abuse Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673