The mother and stepfather of an 11-year-old girl in Oklahoma have been charged with felony child neglect after their daughter gave birth at home.
Local outlets KOTV, FOX 23, and KJRH report that Dustin Walker, 34, and Cherie Walker, 33, are accused of failing to provide supervision or medical care for their daughter, who delivered a full-term baby on August 16 in Muskogee.
Muskogee County Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson told KOTV that both adults claimed they were unaware of the pregnancy. Court documents obtained by FOX 23 indicate the child was 36 weeks pregnant.
Investigators noted in the court documents that the girl had not seen a doctor in over a year and had received no prenatal care. Hutson told KJRH that authorities learned of the situation after the girl was taken to a hospital following the birth.
“I was horror-stricken to find out it’s an 11-year-old little girl who’s given birth,” Hutson said. “And that she had no medical care, and she had no one to be with her.”
The district attorney said additional charges against the parents are likely, while authorities await paternity test results to identify the baby’s father.
“This child is traumatized,” Hutson told KOTV. “She’s been through a horrific ordeal. Not only was she impregnated, but she gave birth at home without medical assistance. This will affect her for the rest of her life.”
Hutson also mentioned to KOTV that the girl and other children in the household may have been homeschooled.
“The guardians are currently in the Muskogee County Jail,” she told KJRH. “They both have a $100,000 bond. I anticipate filing additional charges and amending that information shortly.”
The 11-year-old’s grandmother, identified by KJRH as Michelle, defended the couple, saying, “I just want people to know, we did not know this was happening. None of us.”
“They’ve made my daughter and my son-in-law a monster. They are not. They love those children,” she added, expressing hope to see her grandchildren again.
The couple is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Hutson reminded the public there are multiple ways to report suspected child neglect.
“I want people to know that resources are available through law enforcement, the Department of Human Services, or the district attorney’s office when you suspect abuse or neglect,” she told KOTV.
