Man Charged With Murder In Watonga Girl's Death

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – A man accused of stabbing an 8-year-old Watonga girl to death has been charged with first-degree murder after he allegedly confessed to the crime.

Prosecutors charged 20-year-old James Daukei Jr. on Friday.  The Oklahoma Medical Examiner's Office said he stabbed his cousin, Rosalin Reynolds, multiple times in the chest on Wednesday, March 23. 

Oklahoma County District Attorney Mike Fields has asked the judge in the case to deny bail to Daukei because of the violence of the crime, the strength of the evidence against Daukei, and the risk to the community if he is released.

Daukei was staying with Rosalin's family the night of March 22.  The next morning, Rosalin's father discovered she was missing from her room.

According to court records, the father and neighbors started searching for Rosalin in a field behind the Grass Prairie Apartments.  They told police they found Daukei lying next to Rosalin's body and a shovel he had used to dig a shallow grave.

A witness said Rosalin's father grabbed the shovel and started chasing Daukei, but he escaped.  Daukei was arrested a few hours later.

According to an affidavit, Daukei confessed to police that he had killed the little girl in her apartment, then carried her body outside to bury it. 

Investigators have not said what may have motivated the murder.

More:

• Man Arrested For Watonga Girl's Murder
• Man Arrested In Watonga Girl's Death Was Out On Bond At Time Of Murder