Child Archives - Ponca City Now

PCPD Arrest Man for Child Sex Abuse, Detainer for U.S. I.C.E.

Wednesday, October 8 by Ponca City Now-PCPD

On October 1, 2025, Officers with the Ponca City Police Department began conducting an investigation involving a juvenile female, who disclosed to her mother, that she had been sexually assaulted by the mother’s boyfriend. During the investigation, the juvenile was taken for a Forensic Interview. In that interview, she told investigators that 27-year-old Ricardo... Read More.

Inola band director facing charge of possessing AI-generated child pornography

Monday, October 6 by KTUL

TULSA, OKLA. (KTUL) — Brennan Marcotte, a former band director for Inola Public Schools, is facing a felony charge for possession of child sexual abuse material.The Rogers County Sheriff's Office discovered more than 40 AI-generated images of child pornography on Marcotte's phone after obtaining a search warrant.The investigation began when the Inola superintendent reported inappropriate... Read More.

Texas megachurch founder Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sex abuse charges

Saturday, October 4 by The Associated Press

By JAMIE STENGLE Associated Press(AP) — The founder of a Texas megachurch who resigned last year after a woman in Oklahoma accused the pastor of sexually abusing her in the 1980s pleaded guilty on Thursday to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child, authorities said.Robert Preston Morris, 64, entered the pleas... Read More.

Drummond moves to hold Roblox accountable for child safety failure

Tuesday, September 16 by Ponca City Now

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Gentner Drummond is taking the first step into potential legal action against Roblox over serious child safety concerns. His office has requested proposals for legal services to investigate and possibly sue the popular online gaming platform. According to the request for legal proposals, Roblox lacks adequate safety measures and is "overrun... Read More.

Child predator added to Drummond’s 10 Most Wanted list

Wednesday, July 9 by Ponca City Now

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Gentner Drummond today announced the addition of Anthony Michael Lennon to his 10 Most Wanted list. The 44-year-old Lennon is wanted on eight counts of possession of child pornography. Since March of 2012, Lennon has faced these charges stemming from a Moore Police Department investigation. Officers searched his home and... Read More.

Facebook Babysitter Convicted in Kay County Child Abuse Case, Now Charged With Murder in 2018 Infant’s Death

Wednesday, June 18 by KOKH

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) —A babysitter convicted of child abuse in 2024 has now been charged with an infant's murder from a case stemming back to 2018.Holly Sheppard was arrested by Oklahoma County Sheriff's deputies on Monday.She's charged with one count of murder. In January 2018, Oklahoma City Police investigators say a 22-day-old infant went... Read More.

Woman accused of sharing child sex abuse material arrested by Tulsa County deputies

Wednesday, May 28 by News 6

TULSA, Okla. -Tulsa County deputies arrested a woman who is accused of sending child abuse material to a man in Texas.The affidavit for Falisha Johnson says the man she met online requested nude photos of children daily.Documents say detectives found more than 3,000 pictures and videos on her phone of child sexual abuse material,... Read More.

Whistleblower claims Tyson Foods employs child workers, US senator calls for investigation

Tuesday, May 13 by WDAF

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — U.S. Senator Josh Hawley is calling on the Department of Labor to investigate Tyson Foods after a whistleblower accused the company of illegal child labor practices.Sen. Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, urging her to investigate Tyson Foods in light of... Read More.

Ponca City Public School Child Nutrition Program Providing Meals for children Ages 1-18

Thursday, May 8 by Ponca City Now

Ponca City Public Schools will be participating in the Summer Food Service Program. Meals will be provided to the children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, and there will be no discrimination in the course of... Read More.

Scholarships for Child Care are Drying Up. Now Families are Paying the Price

Monday, April 14 by AP

Delaney Griffin, center, plays with toddlers at the child care center where she works, March 13, 2024, in Lexington, Ky.(AP Photo/Dylan Lovan, File)PHOENIX (AP) — For parents who need to work but can’t afford the steep cost of child care, federally funded scholarships can be a lifeline. Delivered through state... Read More.

Oklahoma Senate Passes Bill Making Death Penalty an Option for First-Time Child Rapists

Monday, April 7 by News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -A bill that would make the death penalty or life without parole a possible punishment for first-time convictions of child sex abuse has passed the Oklahoma Senate with bipartisan support.Current Law Current state law allows those convicted of certain sex crimes against children under 14 to be sentenced to death or life... Read More.

Norman Teacher Jailed for Allegedly Failing to Report Child Sex Abuse in 2015

Thursday, April 3 by News 9

A Norman teacher accused of failing to act on reported child sex abuse is behind bars.Jail records show Valerie Hartless was arrested early Wednesday morning on a warrant. She is being held at the Cleveland County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond.According to court records, a teenager reported sexual abuse to Hartless in 2015,... Read More.