By Sheila Stogsdill, For The Oklahoman
JAY — A Delaware County woman who bragged about being honored by the state for her work as a foster parent was charged Friday with multiple counts of child abuse.
Included in the charges are accusations that the woman failed to seek medical attention after her daughters were bitten repeatedly by pet monkeys.
Deidre Anne Matthews, 46, of Jay, is charged in Delaware County District Court with three counts of child abuse by injury, child endangerment and child neglect.
Matthews told Delaware County sheriff’s deputies during their investigation that her family was chosen by DHS in 2008 as Adoptive Family of the Year, sheriff’s officials said.
According to a court affidavit, Matthews mobile home was covered in filth, she was overly medicated and she depended on her eldest children to care for her younger children and a variety of exotic animals.
State Department of Human Services spokeswoman Sheree Powell said agency officials have not seen the charges “and are waiting to view the documents.”
The children are eight girls ranging in age from 4 to 17 and a 10-year-old boy, court records show.
Delaware County deputies removed the 14-year-old girl from the home after DHS failed to remove the teenager after investigating abuse allegations, the affidavit states.
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