Okmulgee County Woman Accused Of Child Abuse

An Okmulgee County woman is in jail accused of abusing her children. Deputies learned of this case when one of the boys told his teacher at school what caused his injuries.

The Okmulgee County Sheriff's office says five children were living with Megan Matthews just north of Okmulgee’s city limits. Investigators say the children living in the home were physically abused and repeatedly exposed to drug use.

Investigators say even though the children had been threatened not to tell anyone what was happening to them, one of the boys found the courage to say something.

"They were just up front and blunt and said when they'd get in trouble, mom would choke them and they had injuries to back that up," said Sgt. Aaron Swayze

He says the eight-year-old talked about weed and dope being in the house and was detailed enough to describe weed is used in paper and dope is smoked in a glass bowl. Investigators say children exposed to drug use are four times more likely to be abused and neglected.

"It's disturbing, very disturbing. Kids at that age shouldn't know how certain drugs are used and what certain drugs look like," said Sgt. Aaron Swayze

Investigators arrested Matthews for three counts of child abuse by injury. She's the mother of one of those with injuries and the guardian to the other two with injuries. They say she didn't have much to say about the case. They say she didn't have much to say about the case.

"Her words were, I want my attorney because my kids are lying on me," said Sgt. Aaron Swayze

Investigators say they're glad one of the kids told a teacher so DHS and law enforcement could step in and protect the children from further abuse.

The investigator says when he saw the children yesterday, one of the boys thanked him, because the boy knew, he was going to be safe for the first time in a long time