Bardstown HS teacher charged with sexual abuse of student

31-year-old Mary 'Hanna' Mattingly accused of inappropriate contact and sending explicit photos

Mar. 31, 2026 at 4:00am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked smartphone screen reflecting a dim, red emergency light, conceptually representing the violation of trust and privacy in this case of alleged teacher misconduct.The harsh glare of a camera flash exposes the shattered remnants of a student's privacy, as a teacher's alleged abuse of power comes to light.Bardstown Today

A Bardstown High School teacher has been arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse and promoting the use of a minor by electronic means after an investigation found she allegedly engaged in sexual contact with a student and sent the student partially nude photos.

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious breach of trust when teachers abuse their positions of authority and exploit minors in their care. It raises concerns about student safety and the need for robust screening and oversight of educators.

The details

According to the Bardstown Police Department, 31-year-old Mary 'Hanna' Mattingly was arrested on Monday and charged with first-degree sexual abuse and procuring or promoting use of a minor by electronic means. The investigation discovered that Mattingly 'engaged in sexual contact with a high school student' and 'had communication with the same student' where she sent the student 'partially nude photographs'.

  • Mattingly was arrested on Monday, March 30, 2026.

The players

Mary 'Hanna' Mattingly

A 31-year-old teacher at Bardstown High School who was arrested and charged with sexual abuse of a student and promoting the use of a minor by electronic means.

Bardstown Police Department

The law enforcement agency that conducted the investigation and made the arrest of Mattingly.

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What’s next

Mattingly is currently being held in the Nelson County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

The takeaway

This disturbing incident underscores the critical need for rigorous background checks, ongoing monitoring, and strict policies to protect students from predatory behavior by educators entrusted with their care and development.