A 53-year-old woman from Oklahoma, Davena Dian Marx, has been arrested after allegations surfaced that she drugged and abused her grandchildren.
The children were reportedly locked in a dog cage when Marx wanted to leave the house, and further investigation revealed disturbing details of physical and emotional abuse. Here’s a breakdown of the case and the investigation.
The Arrest and Charges
Marx was arrested last month and charged with child abuse and child neglect after an investigation began in 2024. Officers from the Warr Acres Police Department and a social worker from the Oklahoma Department of Health Services responded to a tip about possible child abuse at Marx’s home.
Disturbing Allegations from the Grandchildren
When the authorities arrived, Marx’s 8-year-old granddaughter allegedly texted a social worker saying: “She is mean to us she is very abusive.”
The children were then separated from Marx, and during questioning, the granddaughter reportedly told authorities that her grandmother would lock them in a dog cage when she wanted to go outside alone.
The granddaughter also reportedly said: “Memaw sells drugs and uses them.” Medical exams and forensic interviews were conducted, revealing bruising on the child’s back, consistent with being hit with a belt.
During the interview, the children claimed that Marx made them do intense calisthenics until they physically couldn’t continue.
Drugging the Children
Marx’s 10-year-old grandson claimed that his grandmother regularly gave him prescription drugs that weren’t prescribed to him. Although Marx denied giving him any drugs, testing revealed that the child had Seroquel, a sleep-inducing antipsychotic, in his system. Reports indicated that the drug was prescribed to Marx.
Neighbors Speak Out
Neighbors also provided disturbing accounts of the abuse. They reported hearing Marx call the children names like “worthless” and “little bastards.”
Several neighbors also mentioned seeing bruises on the children’s faces and even seeing them dumpster diving for food. One neighbor claimed to have witnessed the children crying while locked in a dog cage.
Background of the Family
Marx gained legal custody of the children after their father, Devyn Wayne Hinkle, Marx’s son, tragically passed away in a road rage shooting incident in 2022. Hinkle was shot and killed during a road rage altercation near Northwest 10th Street and Meridian Avenue in Oklahoma City.
Kasey McConville was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, later pleading guilty to second-degree murder in 2024. McConville was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Davena Dian Marx is facing serious charges after allegedly drugging, physically abusing, and locking her grandchildren in a dog cage.
The case highlights the importance of investigating child abuse claims and protecting vulnerable children. Marx is currently facing charges for her actions, and the children are now in safer care.
