Mother gets probation over endangering charges
WAILUKU, Hawaii >> A Waiehu woman who failed to report allegations that her now ex-boyfriend was sexually assaulting her children has avoided a jail term, but has been sentenced to 15 years of probation.
As part of plea agreement, Second Circuit Judge Rhonda Loo on Friday suspended a one-year jail term for 32-year-old Nichol Viena, but turned down a request by her attorneys to allow her a chance to clear her record if she successfully completes the probation.
The Maui News reports that Viena’s sentencing comes after she pleaded no contest to first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and to two counts of first-degree hindering prosecution for not reporting incidents involving her now ex-boyfriend, William Barrios, and her children.
Barrios is scheduled to go on trial Jan. 9.