NewNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
A 35-year-old grandmother was charged with murder and denied bail after authorities say she stabbed an elderly grandfather multiple times while babysitting a 3-year-old inside a Michigan home over the weekend.
Royal Oak Police said a “frantic” incident occurred at Samantha Rae Booth’s house when the child’s grandfather came for a welfare check.
Authorities said Booth not only murdered the 83-year-old man, but also fled from responding police, attacked another family member with a screwdriver, stripped her naked and was found with suspected psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana in her purse, Fox 11 Los Angeles reports.
Booth was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, assault and three counts of resisting, assaulting or obstructing police. According to the station, the judge said the child abuse charge stemmed from the fact that the alleged murder took place in front of a child.
Family torn apart as Georgia teen charged with murder of parents, parents denied bond in emotional hearing
David Ong smiles in a family photo. Ong, 83, was killed while checking on her granddaughter in Royal Oak, Michigan, on October 24, 2025, police said. (Ong family/Facebook)
According to the police, the horrific incident began when the girl’s mother, who was out of town on Friday, asked her father to check on her daughter as she was being looked after by a nanny. When she did not get any update, the mother sent the child’s uncle home.
Police said that when the uncle entered the house, he heard sounds coming from the basement. Going downstairs, he found the nanny in a “frantic” state, covered in blood, and the child’s grandfather, David Ong, lying on the floor with serious injuries. Ong received emergency medical care, but ultimately died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Then the uncle caught hold of the child, who was still in the basement, and tried to run away. Police said he repeatedly defended himself from Nani’s attacks while leaving the house.
Booth reportedly chased them away with a screwdriver, but the uncle and the child eventually took refuge in a nearby house until police arrived.
Son accused of brutally beating his mother to death with gardening tools for inheritance: Police
Samantha Rae Booth has been charged with first-degree murder and other crimes after allegedly stabbing 83-year-old David Ong to death in Royal Oak, Michigan on October 24, 2025. (Royal Oak Police Department)
Former FBI agent says suspect took ‘specific’ actions before fatal attack on country singer’s mother
Booth allegedly stopped chasing the uncle, dropped the screwdriver and took off his clothes before running away from responding police, authorities said. He was reportedly found with blood on his hands and was taken into custody after a brief chase. Although he initially tried to escape, police said he was immediately caught.
Police said the child and the uncle suffered minor injuries and were taken to Corwell Hospital for evaluation, where they were treated and released a short time later.
According to Fox 11 Los Angeles, authorities said Booth had previously cared for the child for two years without incident.
David Ong is seen in a family photo taken inside a home. Ong was fatally shot while protecting her 3-year-old granddaughter, authorities said. (Ong family/Facebook)
Royal Oak Police Chief Michael Moore said in a statement, “We offer our deepest condolences to the victim’s family as they grapple with this tragic and senseless act of violence. No family should have to suffer such a loss, and we are keeping them in our thoughts.”
Click here to download Fox News App
Ong’s daughter Kelly shared a statement in a post on Facebook on Sunday: “My father, David Ong, tragically passed away on Friday evening while protecting his 3-year-old granddaughter. The loss is immeasurable. Anyone who knew my father knows what a gentleman he is – a man of incredible kindness, love and faith. I have often said that he is the best man I know.”
“He was the hero on Friday, but to me he’s always been my hero.”
