Mother who forced 11-year-old daughter to give birth without medical care after husband raped her receives sentence

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (Gray News) - A jury on Friday recommended life in prison for the mother who forced her 11-year-old daughter to give birth after her husband raped the girl.

The jury’s recommendation came after Cherie Walker was convicted of six counts of child neglect and one count of enabling child sexual abuse. She will formally be sentenced by a judge at a later date, KJRH reported.

Prosecutors said Cherie Walker knew her husband, Dustin Walker, was sexually abusing her 11-year-old daughter and failed to protect her.

The investigation began in August 2025 after authorities learned the 11-year-old girl gave birth at home without receiving any prenatal care or medical assistance.

DNA confirmed Dustin Walker was the baby’s father.

Dustin Walker pleaded guilty March 26 to one count of sexual abuse of a child under 12 and six counts of child neglect. He was sentenced to life in prison for the sexual abuse conviction, along with consecutive prison terms for the child neglect convictions.

The victim’s grandmother, Michelle Justus, is also charged with child neglect. Her trial begins Thursday.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit childhelp.org.