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Inset Dustin J. Walker (Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The home where the Walkers’ 11-year-old stepdaughter gave birth last year (KJRH).
A 35-year-old Oklahoma man is facing a lengthy prison term after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the abuse and neglect of his 11-year-old stepdaughter, who became pregnant and delivered a baby at home without any medical assistance.
Dustin Joel Walker admitted guilt on Friday to six counts of child neglect and one count of sexually abusing a child under the age of 12, according to court documents.
Walker entered what is known as a “blind plea,” indicating there is no predetermined deal with prosecutors, leaving his sentencing entirely up to the judge’s discretion. Under the law, he must serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
In connection with the girl’s mistreatment, her biological mother, Cherie Walker, and her maternal grandmother, Michelle Justus, have also been apprehended and are facing charges.
Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson highlighted DNA evidence showing a “99% certainty” that Walker fathered the child. She expressed optimism that his plea would result in a substantial prison sentence, as reported by Tulsa NBC affiliate KJRH.
“Ultimately, it will be, we only did a blind plea today,” Hutson said. “A pre-sentence investigation was ordered. There will be a sentencing hearing on June 18 and I am hopeful for a lengthy sentence.”
Hutson noted that the charges carry potential sentences up to life in prison, which in Oklahoma is calculated as 45 years — meaning Walker would have to serve more than 38 years before becoming eligible for parole if given a life sentence.
Defense attorney Ben Hilfiger told the station it was not typical for him to advise a client to enter a blind plea, but in this case, he “didn’t feel like there was one that we could get that would be useful or helpful in any way,” adding that the potential punishment is “wide open.”
Authorities say the child gave birth to a full-term baby inside the home without ever receiving prenatal care or seeing a doctor during the pregnancy.
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.
Hutson urged the public to report suspected abuse or neglect, saying resources are available through law enforcement and child welfare agencies.
As Law&Crime previously reported, the case came to light after authorities learned the 11-year-old had given birth inside the home, prompting an investigation into the conditions in which she had been living.
Investigators allege Walker repeatedly abused the child, resulting in the pregnancy, while the adults in the home failed to provide basic care, supervision, or medical attention. Court records indicated the girl had not seen a doctor in more than a year prior to giving birth.
Cherie Walker and Michelle Justus have both denied knowing the child was pregnant, though prosecutors have argued the circumstances surrounding the birth and lack of medical care point to severe neglect.
“I just want people to know, we did not know this was happening. None of us,” Justus previously told 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.
Walker is currently scheduled to appear for his sentencing hearing on June 18.