South Central Teacher Pleads Not Guilty

Print

Published on December 23 2016 8:10 am
Last Updated on December 23 2016 9:49 am
Written by Matt Robinson

 
Sian Kuester, a 36-year-old South Central High School special education teacher, entered a not guilty plea in Marion County Court Wednesday to a Class 4 felony offense of Distribution of Harmful Materials.
 
Kuester also waived a preliminary hearing and formal first appearance in court. She was ordered to report to the sheriff's office to have an arrest card completed on the charge. Kuester was initially given a notice to appear in court and has never posted any bond.
 
Kuester is on administrative leave from the school district, with pay, pending the outcome of the case. She is accused of distributing pornographic cell phone messages to one of her male students at various times during 2016. 
 
The texting apparently began when Kuester was helping the student with school work.  Former State's Attorney Matt Wilzbach indicated nothing else happened between the two other than the text messages.
 
Sian Kuester is due back in court for a pretrial hearing January 25 at 9 a.m.