Oklahoma mother convicted of child mistreatment and neglect

An Oklahoma mother has been convicted for failing to protect her 11-year-old daughter from sexual abuse by her husband, who fathered the child's baby. Cherie Dawn Walker, 34, was found guilty on July 17 on one count of enabling child mistreatment and six counts of child neglect by a Muskogee County jury, which recommended a life sentence for each count. Formal sentencing will occur at a later date.

The case came to light in August 2025 when authorities discovered the girl had given birth to a full-term infant inside the family's Muskogee County home without any prenatal care or medical assistance. Prosecutors alleged Walker knew her husband, Dustin Joel Walker, was sexually abusing their daughter but took no action to stop it or seek help. DNA testing later established with 99 percent certainty that Dustin Walker was the infant's father.

Dustin Walker pleaded guilty on March 26 to one count of sexual abuse of a child under 12 and six counts of child neglect. In June, Muskogee County District Judge Timothy King sentenced him to life in prison plus 42 years, ordering the 42-year term to be served before the life sentence begins. He must also register as a sex offender and is...