An Oklahoma man has been arrested after his 11 year old stepdaughter delivered a baby at home – with DNA results showing he was a “99.9% match” as the father.
Stepfather Dustin Walker, 34, and mother Cherie Walker, 33, were taken into custody last week following the child’s delivery on August 16, according to authorities.
The pair initially faced one count of felony child neglect after claiming they were unaware of the child’s pregnancy, with the girl having received no medical attention for over a year. The news comes as a woman raped on high street at 3.30am as man in 30s charged.
But on Monday, their charges were upgraded after DNA testing revealed the stepfather was a “99.9% DNA match” as the infant’s biological father.
Walker stands accused of sexually assaulting the girl, who was 11 at the time, between January 1 and August 16, leading to her delivering his child, reports the Mirror US.
The couple now faces six counts of felony child neglect, including failure to provide the 11 year old with proper medical care and oversight during her home birth.
Her mother, Cherie Walker, has been charged with enabling child sexual abuse.
“This is one of the most if not the most serious child sexual abuse and neglect cases I have ever prosecuted,” Muskogee County Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson said in a statement.
“This child is traumatised. She’s been through a horrific ordeal. 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.”
The 11 year old’s grandmother defended the couple, telling the outlet: “I just want people to know, we did not know this was happening. None of us.
“They’ve made my daughter and my son-in-law a monster. They are not. They love those children. They love them,” she said, hoping to see her grandchildren again.
“Each of the charges against both defendants are punishable by up to life,” she added.
The couple is due to appear in court next on 3 September.
