An Oklahoma mother has been convicted on multiple felony charges after prosecutors said she enabled the sexual abuse of her 11-year-old daughter, who later gave birth to a full-term baby inside the family’s home without receiving prenatal care or medical assistance.
A Muskogee County jury found Cherie Dawn Walker, 34, guilty of one count of enabling child sexual abuse and six counts of child neglect, according to court records.
Jurors recommended that Walker receive a life sentence on each of the seven convictions. A judge will decide her final sentence at a later hearing.
Jury Conviction Follows Husband’s Sentencing
The verdict comes months after Walker’s husband, Dustin Joel Walker, received a lengthy prison sentence in the same case.
Earlier this year, Dustin Walker pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12 and six counts of child neglect.
In June, Muskogee County District Judge Timothy King sentenced him to life in prison plus 42 years. Under the sentence, he must serve the 42-year term before beginning the life sentence.
He is also required to register as a sex offender, will remain under supervision if released in the future, and is prohibited from having contact with the victims.
Investigation Began After Child Gave Birth at Home
Authorities launched the investigation in 2025 after learning that the couple’s 11-year-old daughter had delivered a full-term baby inside the family’s Muskogee County home.
According to prosecutors, the child received no prenatal care during the pregnancy and no medical care during childbirth.
The circumstances surrounding the birth led investigators to examine the family’s living situation and the abuse allegations.
DNA Evidence Linked Father to Infant
Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson previously told the court that DNA testing established a 99% probability that Dustin Walker was the baby’s biological father.
Prosecutors rejected claims made by family members that no one in the household knew the child was pregnant.
Hutson argued that although the victim was described as physically petite, she still delivered a healthy, full-term infant, making it unlikely that the pregnancy would have gone unnoticed by the adults living in the home.
Prosecutors Described Lasting Trauma
Speaking publicly about the case, Hutson said the young victim had endured an extremely traumatic experience.
She stated that the child was sexually abused, became pregnant, and was forced to give birth at home without any medical assistance.
According to the prosecutor, the effects of that experience will remain with the child for the rest of her life.
Child Was Reportedly Removed From School
Prosecutors also said the victim had been withdrawn from school before the pregnancy was discovered.
According to Hutson, the child had been out of school for a period of time and was believed to have been homeschooled.
Investigators said that absence from school reduced the chances that teachers, counselors, or healthcare professionals would notice signs of abuse and report concerns to authorities.
Family Claimed They Did Not Know
After Cherie and Dustin Walker were arrested in 2025, relatives publicly denied knowing that the 11-year-old was pregnant.
The child’s maternal grandmother, Michelle Justus, told reporters that the family had no knowledge of what had been happening.
However, prosecutors maintained throughout the case that the evidence demonstrated prolonged neglect and supported the criminal charges against those responsible.
Grandmother Also Faces Child Neglect Charge
Court records show that Michelle Justus has also been charged with one count of child neglect in connection with the case.
Her trial is currently scheduled to begin on July 23.
Judge Will Decide Final Punishment
Although jurors recommended life imprisonment on each of Cherie Walker’s seven convictions, the final sentencing decision now rests with Judge Timothy King.
If the judge follows the jury’s recommendation, Walker could spend the remainder of her life in prison for enabling the sexual abuse of her daughter and failing to protect and care for the child before and during the pregnancy.
