A shocking case of alleged child sexual abuse and neglect has unfolded in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, leaving a community reeling. The story centers around an 11-year-old girl who gave birth to a child, and the subsequent investigation has led to the arrest of three family members: the girl's grandmother, mother, and stepfather.
Michelle Justus, 53, the grandmother, was taken into custody on charges of failing to report her granddaughter's pregnancy. Law enforcement officials allege that Justus was responsible for the care of the pregnant minor and neglected her duty to report the situation to the authorities. This failure to act, they argue, allowed a deeply troubling situation to fester and escalate.
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, Dustin Walker, 34, the girl's stepfather, has been arrested and accused of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter. The charges stem from DNA evidence that allegedly links him to the newborn child, suggesting a horrifying betrayal of trust and familial responsibility.
Cherie Walker, also 34, the mother of the 11-year-old, faces charges of enabling sexual assault. She is accused of facilitating the alleged abuse, potentially through negligence, complicity, or active participation in covering up the crime. The accusations paint a grim picture of a family unit deeply fractured and failing to protect its most vulnerable member.
Prior to her arrest, Michelle Justus offered an explanation for her granddaughter's pregnancy, claiming her daughter informed her that the father was a 12-year-old boy and that the pregnancy was the result of youthful curiosity gone too far. However, this explanation appears to contradict the subsequent DNA evidence and police findings, further fueling suspicion and scrutiny.
Justus also defended her daughter and son-in-law, stating, "They've made my daughter and my son-in-law a monster. They are not. They love those children. They love them." These claims stand in stark contrast to the conditions in which the children were reportedly living and the serious charges leveled against the parents.
According to law enforcement officials, the 11-year-old girl gave birth on August 16 in a home described as being in a deplorable condition, without any medical supervision. The lack of prenatal care and the unsanitary environment surrounding the birth highlight the extreme neglect and potential danger to which the young girl was exposed.
Details emerging from the investigation paint a disturbing picture of the living conditions in the Walker home. Authorities reported finding dog feces scattered across the floor and a complete lack of running water. The young mother also reportedly had very few clothes, suggesting a severe lack of resources and care.
The girl was approximately 36 weeks pregnant at the time of birth and had not received any prenatal care or seen a doctor in over a year. This absence of medical attention could have had severe consequences for both the mother and the baby, further underscoring the severity of the neglect allegations.
Initially, Cherie and Dustin Walker were arrested due to the unsafe and unsanitary conditions of their home. However, the discovery of a 99.9% DNA match between Dustin Walker and the newborn child significantly altered the course of the investigation, leading to the more serious charges of sexual assault and enabling sexual assault.
Adding to the narrative, Cheryl Adkins, a neighbor of the Walkers, claimed to have witnessed Michelle Justus regularly visiting the family's home and providing them with assistance. Adkins told KJRH that Justus "has provided for their needs, because they had no running water for the last two or three years. They have cats in the house, six children."
Adkins also revealed that she had made multiple calls to authorities expressing concerns about the welfare of the children and the conditions of the property. Her attempts to seek help highlight the community's awareness of the situation and their fears for the children's safety.
In response to the allegations, Justus attributed the poor conditions of the house to the family's pets. "We have animals, and so sometimes there's trash on the floor because the dogs get into the trash," she stated. This explanation fails to address the more serious concerns about the lack of running water and the overall neglect of the children's basic needs.
Michelle Justus faces six counts of child neglect, reflecting the gravity of the accusations against her. Similarly, both Cherie and Dustin Walker have been charged with six counts of felony child neglect, underscoring the extent to which they allegedly failed to provide adequate care for their children.
Dustin Walker's charge of sexual assault and Cherie Walker's charge of enabling sexual assault carry significant legal consequences, reflecting the seriousness of the alleged crimes. The potential penalties for these offenses could include lengthy prison sentences.
Following the investigation, all six children, including the 11-year-old mother, were taken into protective custody. This action was taken to ensure their safety and well-being, removing them from the environment where they were allegedly subjected to neglect and abuse.
Muskogee County Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson described the case as "One of the most, if not the most serious child sexual abuse and neglect cases I have ever prosecuted." Her statement highlights the profound impact of the alleged crimes and the long-term consequences for the young victim.
Hutson emphasized that the 11-year-old girl will likely carry the trauma of this experience throughout her entire life. The psychological and emotional scars of the alleged abuse and neglect could have lasting effects on her development and well-being.
Both Cherie and Dustin Walker are currently being held in the Muskogee County Jail on a $100,000 bond. This high bond reflects the seriousness of the charges against them and the court's concern that they may pose a flight risk or a danger to the community.
The case has sparked outrage and concern among community members and advocates for child welfare. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and reporting suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.
This case also highlights the importance of resources and support for victims of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Confidential support is available 24/7.
The legal proceedings in this case are ongoing, and the individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The pursuit of justice for the young victim and the other children involved remains a priority for law enforcement and the Muskogee County community.