MARION COUNTY — A 36-year-old former Special Education teacher at South Central High School in Farina pleaded guilty Wednesday in Marion County Court to sending sexually explicit materials to a student.

Sian E. Kuester was sentenced to 180 days in jail, 30 months probation, and ordered to pay more than $2,700 in fines and fees.

The jail sentence is stayed until she completes a mental health evaluation and any suggested treatment or additional evaluations.

Kuester is prohibited from having contact with anyone under the age of 18 except for her own children until released from probation.

She was convicted of Class 4 felony manufacture of harmful material and sending them to a minor.

According to court records, Kuester, of Salem, sent sexually inappropriate texts, pictures and a video to a minor student.

She was initially suspended by the school district for five days without pay after the school board ordered her to stop texting the student and she refused.

When law enforcement moved forward with the investigation and charges, Kuester was placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the court case.

Due to the charge that was filed, Kuester will not have to register as a sexual offender.