By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Leeann Yammarino, a Prairieville resident, received a 26-year prison sentence on Tuesday for felony sex crimes. The 44-year-old had pleaded no contest to two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. The sentencing included 10 years for each carnal knowledge charge and three years for each indecent behavior charge. Yammarino was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old boy and “sexting” with multiple teenagers, and will be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years.
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A 44 year old mom sentenced to 26 years for felony sex crimes involving teenagers aged 14 to 16 years old. This is a sentence that screams of the gravity of the crimes committed. It’s a stark reminder that actions have consequences, particularly when those actions involve the exploitation and abuse of vulnerable teenagers. It underscores the severity with which the legal system views these offenses and offers a glimpse into the emotional turmoil and damage inflicted upon the victims involved.
There is a growing awareness of female child sex offenders, a group that is often underrepresented in the data. The reasons for this underrepresentation may be varied. The methods of approach used by female offenders, which often involve grooming and coercion rather than overt force, may make it harder to detect and prosecute these crimes. Cultural biases that discourage victims from coming forward, or from even recognizing their experience as sexual abuse, also play a significant role. The pervasive notion that “women can’t/don’t do that sort of thing” further complicates matters.
Many forensic therapists who work with male sex offenders have found that a considerable percentage of their clients, who were victims of sexual assault as children, report being abused by women or girls. This reveals an unsettling reality. The societal response to such crimes, and the language used to describe them (“had sex with” instead of “raped”), often minimizes the trauma inflicted upon the victims, potentially compounding their suffering and hindering their ability to seek justice. The focus on “barely legal” situations is repugnant and unacceptable.
The increasing visibility of these cases might be linked to boys becoming more aware that sexual attention from women, particularly at a young age, constitutes abuse. Patriarchy contributes to the way boys are taught to view sex as some sort of a prize, however, they are becoming increasingly aware of grooming when it’s done by women.
In the case mentioned, it’s a relief that the perpetrator has been brought to justice and removed from society to ensure the safety of others. The focus now must turn to the victims. They will need access to counseling and support to help them heal from the trauma they have endured. It’s a reminder that regardless of the gender of the perpetrator, child sexual abuse is a heinous crime and those who commit it must be held accountable.
It’s clear that these issues are not new. Child sexual abuse, committed by both men and women, has existed for decades. However, the fact that these cases are getting more attention now is a sign of societal progress, even if slow. While male sex offenders still dominate the statistics, the increased focus on female offenders, and the more severe punishments they are receiving, reflects a shift in attitudes and a growing willingness to confront this painful reality.
The fact that the woman’s husband received a 100-year sentence is an indicator that his actions and involvement played a role in the criminal conduct, making the overall situation even more tragic. The details shared regarding her social media, where she seemingly presented an image of a happy life, are disturbing and highlight the disconnect between appearances and reality in many cases.
The public’s outrage and the strong sentences handed down in these cases reflect a growing intolerance for these crimes. The fact that the perpetrators are often women, who may be seen as nurturing figures, does not diminish the severity of their actions.
It’s a step forward that these cases are being reported and prosecuted more frequently. This increased awareness and accountability can also deter future offenders. The hope is that through these sentences, victims can begin to heal and society as a whole can better understand and combat the problem of child sexual abuse.