Terry Walker lost custody of her five children nearly 25 years ago, including the son with whom, as an adult, she had a longtime sexual relationship, she admitted in court yesterday.

Walker, 54, pleaded guilty in Lucas County Common Pleas Court to one count of sexual battery.

In response to questions from Judge Ruth Ann Franks, Walker admitted to having a three-year sexual relationship with her son, Kevin Ware, 28.

"We had sex," Walker said, explaining her actions leading to her change of plea. The sexual battery charge stemmed from the violation of Ohio's incest laws, which prohibit a sexual relationship between a parent and child.

Assistant County Prosecutor Robert Clark said Walker lost custody of Mr. Ware and his four siblings when he was 4 years old. The custody removal occurred in a different state, he added.

According to information Walker supplied to authorities, her son, who was raised in foster care, sought her out when he was 21. The sexual relationship began a few years later.

Mr. Ware, who lived with his mother in a Manhattan Boulevard apartment, is currently charged with several counts of rape for sexual conduct he had with a 7-year-old girl.

"When you make a family member a victim, they feel others are fair game," Mr. Clark said. "It spreads."

Mr. Ware was arrested May 3 at the apartment after Toledo police investigated a statement by a young girl who said that Mr. Ware had sex with her. The girl gave Lucas County Children Services and police investigators a detailed description of the assaults, saying that Mr. Ware had shown her explicit photographs. She also told them he had sex with his mother while she was present.

Mr. Ware is charged with three counts of rape, two counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material, and pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor.

He was found competent by Judge Stacy Cook to face the charges at trial and could spend up to life in prison if convicted.

In separate interviews with investigators, both Mr. Ware and his mother confirmed their relationship.

Yesterday, Walker's attorney, Gretchen DeBacker, said the pair did not intentionally have sex in front of the young girl and so she did not anticipate Walker testifying at her son's trial.

Walker faces up to five years in prison when sentenced Aug. 23. Judge Franks will determine what sort of sexual offender classification Walker will receive at her sentencing.

She remains in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $40,000 bond.

"Most would agree that this is a woman who doesn't have any record whatsoever. She's not a danger to society or herself. She will likely have no future victims," Ms. DeBacker said in response to questions about the likely classification Walker would receive.

She declined further comment on the case until sentencing.

First Published July 17, 2007, 2:16 p.m.