A former substitute teacher who showed a movie including graphic sex and violence to a Columbus high school class has been convicted of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles.
Prosecutors say Kearns showed the film "The ABCs of Death" during five periods of a Spanish class at East High School in Columbus in April 2013. Kearns' attorney argued the long-term sub, who does not speak Spanish, aired the film to occupy students, and did not watch the program herself. Kearns was convicted on four felony counts Thursday. Each count carries a penalty of up to one year in prison and a fine of $2,500, but the 58-year-old Kearns is expected to receive probation when she is sentenced in March.
