Who is Sharon Shale from Such a Pretty Girl and what is their importance?

Sharon Shale is Meredith Shale's mother and Charles Shale's wife. Although her husband has been convicted of raping their daughter and molesting other children, Sharon refuses to accept the idea that he is a child molester. She is pleased when he is released from jail early and seems angry with Meredith because he is not allowed to live with them.