An Oklahoma couple is facing the possibility of life behind bars after an 11-year-old girl gave birth to her stepfather’s child in what authorities describe as one of the worst cases of abuse and neglect seen in the state. The stepfather, 34-year-old Dustin Walker, was already in custody alongside his 33-year-old wife, Cherie Walker, for child neglect after the couple’s 11-year-old daughter gave birth at home on August 16 without medical care.
At the time, Dustin and Cherie claimed they had no idea the girl was pregnant. However, when the DNA results came back, they confirmed with near certainty that Dustin was the father of the newborn. With that evidence, prosecutors upgraded the charges against the pair earlier this week. In addition to their original child neglect charges, Dustin has now been charged with sexually abusing his stepdaughter, while Cherie’s charges include enabling the abuse.
Apart from the 11-year-old, the couple have 6 children, ages 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, who were all discovered to be living in shocking conditions. According to court documents, the couple’s home was filthy with dog faeces on the floor, and the children lacked necessities like clothing.
Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson, who is leading the case, did not mince words when describing the severity of the allegations. “This is one of the most, if not the most serious, child sexual abuse and neglect cases I have ever prosecuted,” she said.
Despite the DNA findings, Cherie’s mother, Michelle, has publicly defended the couple, claiming her granddaughter told relatives the father was actually a 12-year-old boy from the area. “They’ve made my daughter and my son-in-law a monster,” she insisted, adding that she believes the couple truly loves their children.
All six children have been removed from the home, and Dustin and Cherie Walker remain in custody on a $100,000 bond each, with their next court appearance set for September 3.
