An Oklahoma grandmother allegedly drugged her grandkids and locked them in a canine cage for hours when she wished to exit alone, in line with a year-long investigation of abuse accusations.
Davena Marx, 53, is accused of feeding the 2 youngsters — whom she had full custody of — anti-psychotic medication, whipping them with a belt, grinding her heels into their ft, and forcing them to train till they collapsed, in line with native stories.
She was charged with numerous counts of kid abuse and baby neglect towards her 8-year-old granddaughter and 6-year-old grandson, Native 12 reported.
“Memaw sells medication and makes use of them,” one of many youngsters informed investigators after they have been rescued from the alleged home of horrors within the metropolis of Warr Acres. “She makes us keep within the canine cage when she desires to go exterior by herself.”
The younger boy informed investigators that Marx, whom he known as “Memaw” gave him Seroquel, a sleep-inducing drug used to deal with schizophrenia that’s solely speculated to be taken by youngsters older than 13.
Police mentioned that traces of the drug have been present in each Marx’s grandson and granddaughter.
A social employee from the Division of Human Providers carried out a welfare test final 12 months after receiving a tip about abuse, in line with native stories.
The granddaughter texted a social employee, “she is imply to us, she may be very abusive,” in line with OKCFOX.
The youngsters have been instantly faraway from the house.
Officers transported the kids to a Protected Clinic, the place they have been examined and interviewed concerning the alleged abuse, in line with Regulation & Crime.
Docs mentioned the granddaughter had bruising on her again that was in keeping with being overwhelmed with a belt, in line with the outlet.
The grandchildren mentioned that Marx bodily and emotionally abused them, together with forcing them to do calisthenic workout routines till their limbs gave out, the publication reported.
A neighbor approached authorities after the kids have been rescued and informed them that he had seen the siblings digging round in rubbish dumpsters trying to find meals, in line with stories.
Warr Acres Assistant Police Chief Jason Allen mentioned Marx’s arrest got here in Could, after intensive interviews together with her grandchildren.
“The day we went out with them, there was sufficient to instantly take away the kids, which is usually not the case,” Allen mentioned.
Officers obtained a search warrant for the condo and located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a bottle of Alprazolam and a bottle of Seroquel, which have been each prescribed to Marx, in line with stories.
“They did discover a big canine cage within the residence,” Allen mentioned. “Additionally they did find Seroquel, which was additionally one of many allegations that Seroquel had been given to the kids as effectively.”
Marx took custody of her grandchildren in 2022 after their father was gunned down in a street rage incident, in line with a GoFundMe submit.
