In Oklahoma, 53-year-old Davena Dian Marx has been arrested on allegations of abusing her grandchildren, reportedly locking them in a dog cage and administering prescription drugs not meant for them.
Court records confirm Marx faces charges of child abuse and neglect, with the case unfolding after a tip-off in March 2024.
The investigation began when the Warr Acres Police Department and Oklahoma Department of Health Services received a disturbing tip. Upon arrival, Marx’s then 8-year-old granddaughter sent a text to a social worker, describing the abusive environment. According to reports, the child stated, “She is mean to us; she is very abusive.”
Authorities swiftly intervened, separating the children from Marx. During this time, the granddaughter alleged Marx was involved in drug use and distribution. More disturbingly, the child claimed Marx confined them to a dog cage when she left the house.
Medical examinations at a Safe Clinic revealed physical evidence supporting the children’s claims. Doctors identified bruising on the granddaughter’s back consistent with being whipped with a belt. The children also shared accounts of being forced into grueling calisthenic exercises until exhaustion.
Marx’s 10-year-old grandson alleged that his grandmother regularly gave him prescription drugs, which she denied.
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However, medical tests confirmed the boy had Seroquel, a potent antipsychotic drug prescribed to Marx, in his system. Assistant Police Chief Jason Allen verified the findings, adding weight to the charges against her.
Neighbors painted a grim picture of the household. Some reportedly witnessed the children locked in a cage meant for a large dog, crying. Others described them scavenging for food in dumpsters and enduring verbal abuse, with Marx allegedly calling them “worthless” and “little bastards.”
Marx gained custody of the children following the death of her son, Devyn Wayne Hinkle, in 2022. Hinkle was tragically killed in a road rage incident in Oklahoma City.
Witnesses recounted seeing him gunned down near Northwest 10th Street, and his accused shooter, Kasey McConville, later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2024, receiving a 20-year prison sentence.
Neighbors report Marx had expressed intentions of regaining custody of the children despite the abuse allegations. Her arrest now leaves their future in the hands of child welfare authorities.
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