Teacher on Trial for Showing The ABC’s of Death to High School Students Convicted

According to The Columbus Dispatch, Sheila Kearns, a substitute teacher on trial for showing the 2012 anthology horror film The ABC’s of Death to a Spanish class for which she was substitute teaching has been found guilty on disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. Kearns does not speak Spanish and thus frequently showed films to the class rather than providing actual instruction. We previously reported on the commencement of the trial here.

Kearns claimed that her back was to the screen at the time the film was being played and she was not aware of the violent nature of the picture she had elected to show the class. She also said that she was under the impression the film was in Spanish–thus providing educational value. Kearns showed the film to students on April 11, 2013 but the trial to determine if she’s on felony counts of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles began this week. Each charge carries a penalty of up to one year in prison. She was found guilty on four charges but has yet to be sentenced.

The school administration caught wind of what was happening when a student reported that Kearns was showing R-rated movies to the class of 14-18 year olds. The ABC’s of Death is actually unrated.

Kearns was let go from her position after the administration learned what she was doing. More on this case as it is revealed.