Overview
- Samantha Rae Booth, 35, was arraigned Oct. 28 and ordered held without bond on counts including first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, felony assault, and resisting or obstructing police.
- Police say Booth, a caregiver to the family for about two years, fatally attacked 83-year-old David Graham Ong with a screwdriver in the basement as he checked on his 2-year-old granddaughter.
- The child’s uncle rescued the toddler while fending off screwdriver attacks, and both were treated for minor injuries before being released from a local hospital.
- Officers detained Booth after a brief chase; she had stripped naked, had blood on her hands, allegedly said “I did it,” and investigators found suspected psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana in her purse.
- The investigation remains active with toxicology testing pending, and a probable cause conference is scheduled for Nov. 7 in 44th District Court.