Inset: Dustin J. Walker (Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The home where the Walkers’ 11-year-old stepdaughter gave birth in 2025 (KJRH).
An Oklahoma man convicted in connection with the sexual abuse of his 11-year-old stepdaughter, who gave birth at home without medical care, has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Dustin Joel Walker, 35, was sentenced Monday to life in prison plus an additional 42 years, according to court records. Muskogee County District Judge Timothy King ordered Walker to serve the 42-year term first, tied to six counts of child neglect, before beginning the life sentence imposed for one count of sexual abuse of a child under 12.
Should Walker ever be released on parole, he will be subject to three years of supervision. He is also required to register as a sex offender and is prohibited from having contact with the victims.
Walker pleaded guilty in March to all seven charges, as Law&Crime previously reported. He entered what is known as a “blind plea,” meaning he did not reach a sentencing agreement with prosecutors and instead left his punishment entirely in the hands of the judge.
Under the statutes covering the crimes to which Walker pleaded guilty, he must serve at least 85% of his prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson said DNA testing showed a “99% certainty” that Walker is the father of the infant, and she previously said she hoped the plea would result in substantial prison time, according to Tulsa NBC affiliate KJRH. The child’s biological mother, Cherie Walker, and maternal grandmother, Michelle Justus, were also arrested and face charges related to the alleged abuse the girl suffered.
Authorities said the child delivered a full-term baby inside the home after receiving no prenatal care and never being seen by a doctor during the pregnancy. Investigators alleged Walker repeatedly abused the girl, leading to the pregnancy, while other adults in the household failed to provide necessary care, supervision, or medical attention. Court records showed the child had not been seen by a doctor for more than a year before giving birth.
In an interview with Tulsa-based CBS affiliate KOTV, Hutson described the victim as “rather petite,” noting the newborn was a normal-sized infant, while also pushing back on claims from the adults that they were unaware of the pregnancy.
“This child is traumatized. She’s been through a horrific ordeal,” the prosecutor said. “I mean, not only has somebody gotten her pregnant, but she gave birth at home without medical assistance, and this will be her life for the rest of her life.”
Hutson also indicated the victim had been pulled out of school, which limited opportunities for teachers or medical professionals to spot the abuse and intervene.
“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.
Cherie Walker and Michelle Justus have both denied knowing the child was pregnant.
“I just want people to know, we did not know this was happening. None of us,” Justus previously told Tulsa NBC affiliate KJRH. “They’ve made my daughter and my son-in-law a monster. They are not. They love those children. They love them.”
Justus also previously accused a 12-year-old neighborhood boy of impregnating her grandchild.
Cherie Walker is set to go on trial on July 13.
1 comment
Crimes against children should be automatically life no parole, and if a child is killed ,death penalty.
The participants like the mother should get the same, or worse, her job is to protect her child.
Fully aware.