NEED TO KNOW
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The mom and stepfather of an 11-year-old woman in Oklahoma have been charged with felony baby neglect after their daughter gave beginning to a child at dwelling
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Prosecutors allege that the daughter of Dustin and Cherie Walker gave beginning to a full-term child and had not been to the physician in additional than a 12 months
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The couple mentioned they didn’t know the kid was pregnant
The mom and stepfather of an 11-year-old woman in Oklahoma have been charged with felony baby neglect after their daughter gave beginning to a child at dwelling.
In keeping with studies from native shops KOTV, FOX 23 and KJRH, Dustin Walker, 34, and Cherie Walker, 33, have been accused of failing to supply supervision or medical look after the kid after she gave beginning to a full-term baby on Aug. 16 in Muskogee.
Muskogee County Assistant District Lawyer Janet Hutson informed KOTV that each adults alleged that they didn’t know the kid was pregnant when she gave beginning. Court docket paperwork obtained by FOX 23 reportedly state that she was 36 weeks pregnant.
Within the courtroom paperwork, investigators mentioned the 11-year-old had not been to the physician in additional than a 12 months and had not acquired any prenatal care. Hutson informed KJRH that the district legal professional’s workplace discovered concerning the incident after the woman was taken to the hospital after giving beginning.
“I used to be horror-stricken to seek out out it’s an 11-year-old little woman who’s given beginning,” Hutson informed FOX23. “And that she had no medical care, and he or she had nobody to be together with her.”
The district legal professional additionally mentioned that she anticipates submitting extra expenses in opposition to the mother and father, and authorities are at the moment ready on paternity check outcomes to find out the infant’s father.
“This baby is traumatized,” Hutson informed KOTV. “She’s been via a horrific ordeal. I imply, not solely has someone gotten her pregnant, however she gave beginning at dwelling with out medical help, and this will likely be her life for the remainder of her life.”
Muskogee County Sheriff’s Workplace/Fb
Muskogee County Sheriff’s car (inventory picture)
Hutson additionally informed KOTV that the woman and different youngsters within the dwelling could have been homeschooled.
“The guardians are at the moment within the Muskogee County Jail,” Hutson added to KJRH. “They each have a $100,000 bond in place. Like I mentioned, I do anticipate submitting extra expenses and amending that info shortly.”
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The 11-year-old’s grandmother, who was recognized by KJRH as Michelle, spoke out in protection of the couple, telling the outlet: “I simply need folks to know, we didn’t know this was taking place. None of us.”
“They’ve made my daughter and my son-in-law a monster. They don’t seem to be. They love these youngsters. They love them,” she mentioned, including that she hopes to see her grandchildren once more.
The couple is subsequent set to seem in courtroom on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Hutson reminded the general public that there are numerous methods to report suspected baby neglect.
“I need folks to know that there are sources out there to succeed in out to regulation enforcement, the Division of Human Companies, or the district legal professional’s workplace whenever you see one thing that could be abuse or neglect,” she informed KOTV.
Should you suspect baby abuse, name the Childhelp Nationwide Youngster Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Youngster or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is out there 24/7 in additional than 170 languages.
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