Sex Abuse Case Still Under DHS Review

A Delaware County mother said this week she is "very disappointed" in the Oklahoma Department of Human Services investigation into the allegations that a 13-year-old boy sexually abused her four year old daughter at a Jay preschool facility.
The incidents were reported June 28. The Jay police department has completed its investigation and has turned over all its work to the Delaware County District Attorney's office.
The allegations center on inappropriate touching of the little girl's private parts, at least on three occasions.
The little girl came home from preschool on June 28 complaining that she was "sore." Her mother immediately took her to the Delaware County County Children's Special Advocacy Network; police were called; the little girl was taken to a Jay physician for examination. The child was removed from the daycare center and placed in another center in Jay. DHS was notified and the continuing investigation centers on interviews with other children in the daycare center, which has been open since 2001 and usually has around 40 children in its care.
"DESCAN was fantastic," the mother said, "they handled everything so well, even comforting my daughter."
According to the child's mother, the 13-year-old is no longer present if the center is open. The child's mother is concerned that teachers at the center knew of the incidents and failed to report them, instead sending the 13-year-old to "time out."
The alleged incidents took place twice in a playhouse on the grounds, and once on a cot inside the center, the mother said.
The mother said her husband, the girl's stepfather, no longer bathes the child or helps her get dressed; the little girl's behavior towards men has changed, and she won't sleep without the lights on.
The little girl had been attending the daycare center since she was just a few months old.
Nick Lelecas, assistant district attorney who is handling the case, said that because the 13-year-old is a juvenile, no comment would be made regarding the case at this time.

DA Dismisses Charge Against Woodruff

Candyce Woodruff is out of jail today, free on charges of shooting with intent to kill her husband, former Delaware County Sheriff Lenden Woodruff. District Attorney Eddie Wyant dismissed charges against her on Thursday and Special District Judge Alecia Littlefield signed a release order shortly after.

The charges were filed June 17 after a domestic argument had escalated at their home near Colcord. Woodruff was treated at a Fayetteville hospital after being life-flighted and has since been released. Woodruff was to appear Monday in District Court to ask for a bond reduction, which had been set at $250,000. Woodruff said at the time that she was tired of the abuse she had suffered.

Wyant said that Mr. Woodruff has refused to provide a statement regarding the shooting; Mike Eason, investigator with the DA's office, said in a report that Mr. Woodruff has said only that it was accidental and has refused to provide further statements, requested several times by the DA's office.

Wyant said "we do not believe the State should proceed any further with this case, based on the fact that Mr. Woodruff has refused to provide us with a statement."