If you thought you’d heard it all when it comes to unfit guardians, think again. An Oklahoma grandmother is facing serious charges after allegedly drugging her grandchildren and locking them in a large dog cage when she wanted some time alone.
The woman in question, 53-year-old Davena Dian Marx, was arrested and charged with child abuse and neglect. Authorities say the horror story began unraveling in March 2024, when a tip about suspected child abuse led police and a social worker to Marx’s Warr Acres home. What they found, and what came next, is enough to shake anyone to their core.
According to Oklahoma City’s CBS affiliate KWTV, officers showed up at Marx’s house with a social worker from the Oklahoma Department of Health Services. Shortly after they arrived, Marx’s 8-year-old granddaughter sent a chilling text to the social worker that said, “She is mean to us she is very abusive.” That message cracked open the disturbing case, and the children were immediately removed from the home.
Once separated from Marx, the granddaughter made some shocking allegations. She told authorities, “Memaw sells drugs and uses them,” and added, “She makes us stay in the dog cage when she wants to go outside by herself.” It’s hard to imagine what kind of person would even think of putting a child in a cage, but according to multiple accounts, that’s exactly what happened.
Oklahoma Grandmother Accused Of Horrific Abuse Against Grandchildren
After being taken to a Safe Clinic, the children underwent medical exams and forensic interviews. Doctors found bruises on the granddaughter’s back that lined up with being whipped by a belt. If that wasn’t horrifying enough, the grandson, who was 10 at the time, told investigators that Marx made him take prescription pills that weren’t even meant for him.
Warr Acres Assistant Police Chief Jason Allen confirmed that the child tested positive for Seroquel, an antipsychotic medication used to treat serious mental illnesses and known to cause heavy sedation. While Marx denied giving him the drugs, the toxicology test told a different story.
Neighbors had their own disturbing accounts to share. Several of them told police that they had seen the children with bruises on their faces and even witnessed them dumpster-diving for food. One neighbor claimed to have actually seen the children crying while locked inside the cage. Others said Marx would verbally tear the kids down, calling them “worthless” and “little ba****ds.”
Of course, the internet was shocked by the report. “Granny from hell,” one person commented. “She wanted alone time? That’s crazy,” quipped another.
The Famiy Has A Tragic History
To make the situation even more tragic, Marx reportedly gained custody of the kids after their father, Devyn Wayne Hinkle, was killed in 2022 during a road rage incident. Hinkle was shot and killed at just 31 years old. His accused killer, Kasey McConville, was driving a “hearse-like” vehicle with a Christmas wreath on it, according to witnesses. McConville later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Back to Marx, despite everything, some neighbors claim she was still trying to get custody of the children again. Let that sink in. After allegedly drugging them, caging them, and emotionally destroying them, she was somehow under the impression she could win back custody.
There are no words strong enough to fully capture the level of horror in this case. These kids lost their dad in a senseless shooting and ended up in the care of someone who allegedly treated them like animals. While it’s beyond heartbreaking, it also highlights a deeper issue: the need for more oversight and checks when guardianship is transferred after family tragedies.
Thankfully, the Oklahoma children are now safe, but the emotional scars from this ordeal will no doubt take years to heal. One can only hope that justice is served and that these kids get the love and stability they deserve.
Emma Taylor 
Nina Franklin 
