A McAlester man is now facing a felony charge after authorities say a one-year-old child was found tied in a crib and left in unsanitary and unsafe conditions while under his supervision back in April this year.
Charley Lee Gauthier, 26, was charged with enabling child neglect following an April 26 incident at a West Park Avenue apartment, where he had been allegedly watching the infant for several hours. Police and DHS responded to the scene after receiving a report of possible abuse.
Officers found the child restrained with a phone charging cord and covered in blankets in an overheated room. The child’s feeding tube appeared clogged with spoiled milk, and investigators reported signs of neglect, including a soiled diaper and lack of basic care.
The child was transported to McAlester Regional Health Center by EMS. Gauthier was arrested at the scene and later charged. Gauthier is currently being held over on a $15,000 bond.
Two other adults were also arrested in connection with this case months ago. A full report on the initial investigation and their involvement is available in our original story from April HERE:
ORIGINAL STORY from 4-29-2025:
A McAlester couple was arrested and charged with child neglect after investigators said the child was found underfed with spoiled and soured milk inside the child’s feeding tube.
Devyn Giles, 22, and Queen Johnson (Giles), 25, were each charged Monday with child neglect and were each being held Tuesday in the Pittsburg County Jail on a $50,000 bond, according to records filed in Pittsburg County District Court.
An affidavit filed in the case states the case began after investigators were shown photos of a child “tied across the chest with a form of a cord” which led investigators to believe the child was in “immediate danger or severe harm.”
After arriving at the residence and speaking with the couple, investigators made their way into the residence where the child was found with a phone charger wrapped around the child “refraining the arms from being able to extend from the body in a normal manner” and prevented the child from assisting itself with rolling, crawling, and reaching, the affidavit states.
“It was also evident that the child had not received any basic care in any reasonable amount of time as the feeding tube was clogged with what appeared to be clobbered milk, but was otherwise empty,” the affidavit states.
Investigators also found the child’s diaper to be “very full and plump,” with the smell of urine covering the child’s blankets, bedding, and surroundings, according to the report.
The affidavit states that after the couple was placed into custody, the child was transported to McAlester Regional Health Center to be evaluated.