A young Texas prison guard was fired just months into the job after photos of her flashing the middle finger alongside female inmates went viral on social media.

Karla Beltran, 18, was sacked from her role as a detention deputy with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) on Monday after posting 10 pictures of herself posing with three detainees in her custody, News 4 San Antonio reported.

The images show her in uniform, sitting in front of a window overlooking an inmate holding area, where several women in blue jumpsuits stand behind the glass.

In one photo, Beltran is seen puckering her lips into a kissy face and flashing peace signs with both hands as two inmates behind her mimic the same pose. 

The teenage jailer struck another provocative pose in a second photo, sticking out her tongue and raising both middle fingers as three inmates smiled behind her, one also flipping the bird. 

It is not clear who took the photos, but the images quickly made their way across the internet and caught the department's attention.

The sheriff's office confirmed Tuesday that Beltran was let go under its 'probationary dismissal' policy after just over 100 days on the job, having started on July 1, according to the outlet.

Deputies and cadets with the sheriff's office must complete a one-year probationary period, during which they can be 'immediately' dismissed for failing to meet expectations or conduct standards.

Under the policy, those terminated have no right to appeal the decision. 

'Deputy Karla Beltran, an 18-year-old female, had less than a year of employment with the BCSO as a detention deputy and was terminated under probationary dismissal,' the department said in a statement.

'Regarding the pictures, how they were taken, by whom, and where they were posted is being investigated,' it added. 'There are no criminal charges pending at this time in relation to this incident.'

The unprofessional photos were reshared to Facebook on Monday by Nathan Buchanan, a 2024 candidate for Bexar County sheriff and outspoken critic of current Sheriff Javier Salazar. 

He wrote that he is reluctant to 'burn fellow law enforcement officers,' but believes those who raise serious questions about security are 'well deserving of it.' 

'Let's get one thing straight: a badge is not a free pass to disregard laws, policy, security protocols, or common sense,' Buchanan wrote in a lengthy caption.

'The fact that inmates are throwing gang signs in the pictures doesn't help much either!' he added, though that characterization has not been verified.

Like others, the former candidate questioned how a cellphone was allowed in the area and who took the photos, while also asking whether Beltran allowed inmates to make unauthorized calls and how often she held photo shoots at work. 

'Let's also address the bigger issue: leadership and accountability. The Sheriff's Office cannot expect professionalism from its personnel by having a Sheriff who's never present!' Buchanan wrote.

'Hiring inexperienced personnel isn't necessarily the problem; failing to ensure they understand professionalism, boundaries and security is,' he added.

'A correctional facility is not a playground, a social club, or a photo studio. Deputies are there to maintain security, enforce rules, and uphold professional standards, not to engage in immature antics with inmates.'

Buchanan also highlighted Beltran’s age and brief tenure at the detention center, writing: 'Talk about making an impression early!'

'Apparently, common sense and professionalism are still too much to ask of some people,' he said.

'When the Sheriff is making a targeted effort to recruit deputies fresh out of high-school who haven't fully matured yet and aren't properly vetted, these are the results you can expect.'

But as news of Beltran’s termination spread online, reactions were divided. Some users said the firing was 'justified,' while others disagreed. Many questioned whether the 18-year-old was even mature enough for the job. 

'Disgusting behavior. It shows there is no leadership, and no respect. These are the people supposedly upholding the law???' one comment read. 

Another said: 'What's wrong with being cool with people you work with? Isn't that what you're supposed to do? If you see them everyday wouldn't it be better for both ends to make it so work and incarceration is a bit more bearable?'

'18?!!! Do they train in kindergarten for this job?' one user joked.

Another added: 'Oh. So because she's actually being cool with the inmates and treating them like humans then that's grounds for termination of employment?'

'Justified. Poor judgement. She should see herself (and inmates should see her) as someone with boundaries. Not pals with inmates in any way shape or form,' one user argued.

Echoing that criticism, another wrote: 'In and outside of uniform you are a representation of the police department.'

'Yall just hand anyone a badge,' said another.