Mother pleads no contest
By Debra Barayuga
in sex abuse case
Star-BulletinA Wahiawa woman, who with her husband was accused last August of sexually and physically abusing their adopted children and a foster child, has changed her plea.
Sharon Mae Yadao, 39, pleaded no contest yesterday to two counts of abusing a family member, second-degree attempted assault and endangering the welfare of a minor, said her court-appointed attorney Lane Takahashi.
She changed her plea to spare the children the trauma of having to testify, he said.
Yadao faces up to eight years in prison when sentenced March 3 before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins.
The case was one of a few last year that generated criticism about the way Department of Human Services screens prospective adoptive and foster parents.
Legislators have said they will consider proposals in the coming session to use background and criminal history checks of household members and prospective parents to determine their suitability.
The couple's four adopted children and a foster child, all between the ages of 2 and 12, are now in the custody of the Department of Human Services.
In an indictment filed in August, Yadao is accused of physically abusing their daughter, attempting to assault a son, and endangering the welfare of their foster son.
Her husband, Freddie Yadao Jr., has pleaded not guilty to eight counts, including charges of first-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault, second-degree attempted assault and endangering the welfare of a minor.
His attorney, William Harrison, said he is expecting the court to issue an order soon that Yadao be examined by a panel of three court-appointed doctors. The mental examination would suspend all criminal proceedings until Yadao is determined fit to proceed.
Harrison said he requested the evaluation, with no objection by the state, because Yadao had a "definite lack of mental acuity" during their meetings recently and that Yadao has not been cogent with his responses. Yadao also is depressed and taking medication, Harrison said.
