A mother from Louisiana has been handed a prison sentence exceeding 25 years for engaging in sexual activity with her daughter's 14-year-old classmate and sending explicit messages to other teenage boys.
A Betrayal of Trust and the Court's Verdict
Leeann Yammarino, 45, from Prairieville, was sentenced to 26 years in prison on Tuesday after entering a no contest plea to serious charges. The charges included two felony counts of indecent behaviour with a juvenile and two felony counts of carnal knowledge, which refers to sexual intercourse.
The case took a particularly poignant turn when Yammarino's own 17-year-old daughter, Kaylee, addressed the court. She asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence on her mother, highlighting the profound personal betrayal at the heart of the case.
Disturbing Details of the Offences
According to court reports from WBRZ, the abuse occurred between January and July 2024. Yammarino had sex with the 14-year-old male student on multiple occasions, with at least one encounter taking place in her car.
The mother-of-one's criminal behaviour extended beyond physical contact. She also sent sexually explicit photographs of herself to the boy and to three other male students, who were aged between 14 and 16. An affidavit described one such image, stating it "depicted a white female lying in a bathtub from her belly button up to her facial area, depicting Leeann’s face with both her breasts exposed."
The illicit communication had been ongoing for a "few months" before the boys informed their parents, who subsequently contacted the police in July 2024. The investigation widened in August when two more boys came forward to speak with officers.
Life-Altering Consequences
Yammarino, who was seen sobbing in court, was arrested in August and pleaded no contest in September. The 26-year sentence means she will not be released from prison until she is 70 years old.
Furthermore, upon her release, she will be required to register as a sex offender for a period of 15 years. This case has shattered the image of a mother who was actively involved in her community, having assisted with the cheer team at Dutchtown High School where her daughter was a student.
Her daughter, Kaylee, remains a senior in high school and continues with the cheer team, as evidenced by senior pictures shared on her father's Facebook page. Chad Yammarino, the girl's father, has publicly celebrated his daughter but has not commented on his wife's sentencing. Past social media posts, however, revealed a different picture of the family, with Chad having previously described his wife as a "rockstar" and a "true blessing."
