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Former Lake County teacher admits molesting 14-year-old student

A former Lake County teacher faces up to three years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to molesting a 14-year-old student in 2010.

Nicole Jacobsen, 43, of Barrington, admitted guilt to a charge of criminal sex abuse stemming from allegations that surfaced while she was a teacher in Mundelein-based Diamond Lake Elementary District 76.

Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti approved the negotiated settlement, under which Jacobsen also could receive probation and be made to report as a sex offender for 10 years.

Jacobsen admitted in court that she placed her hand on the genitals of the 8th grade student in May 2010 for the purpose of sexual arousal.

Additional charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea. Jacobsen remains free on $50,000 bail pending her sentencing Nov. 10.

The allegations against Jacobsen surfaced when a Facebook message she sent to the victim was found by a member of the victim's family. That family member took the message to school officials, who called police, authorities said.

Jacobsen initially denied sending the message, but later admitted to sexually abusing the teen, authorities said.

She initially was suspended by the district, and later fired after an investigation into the accusations.

Defense attorney Greg Nikitas attempted to delay the plea deal Wednesday, but Lake County prosecutor Victor O'Block refused to postpone the 4-year-old case any longer. A trial had been delayed multiple times since Jacobsen was charged in May 2010.

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