An Oklahoma mother and stepfather have been charged with child neglect after their 11-year-old daughter gave birth over the weekend.
Muskogee County Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson stated that Dustin and Cherie Walker are being held on bonds set at $100,000 each. She expects to “file additional charges and amend that information shortly,” as reported by KJRH.
Hutson mentioned that officials are awaiting the results of a paternity test to identify the newborn’s father. Her office became aware of the case when the girl was taken to the hospital after the childbirth.
“I was horrified to learn that it’s an 11-year-old little girl who gave birth,” Hutson remarked. “Moreover, she had no medical care, and there was no one with her during this time.”
The 11-year-old and five other children have been removed from the home, she said.
The 11-year-old girl’s grandmother, who identified herself only as Michelle,” told KJRH that the family was unaware the little girl was pregnant.
“They’ve made my daughter and my son-in-law a monster.They are not,” she said. “They love those children. They love them.”
Michelle described the house as being in poor condition due to pets. She also mentioned that her daughter claimed the father of the 11-year-old’s baby is a 12-year-old boy.
“She keeps telling everybody that it was him,” she said. “They got curious. That’s all I know.”
Hutson expressed doubt, in an interview with KOTV, about the claims—including those made by the couple—that they were unaware of the girl’s pregnancy. She noted the girl was “rather petite,” yet the infant was of normal size.
“This child is traumatized. She’s undergone a terrible ordeal. Not only has she been impregnated, but she also gave birth at home without medical aid. This will affect her for the entirety of her life,” Hutson stated.
Hutson said no doctors or school officials had seen the child in some time and so could not report the pregnancy.
“The child had been out of school for a period of time, and it is my understanding that children may have been homeschooled,” Hutson said.
