In 2006, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) selected Jerry and Deidre Matthews as the Adoptive Family of the Year for northeast Oklahoma.According to DHS, the Matthews were foster parents from 2003 through 2006, when they adopted two children in their care.
But those glowing accolades as parents wouldn't last long. DHS reports of neglect and abuse date back to 2009, and in 2014, Jerry and Deidre Matthews werearrested for shocking and heinous abuse and neglect.
At the time of their arrest, nine children were living with the Matthews in a mobile home in Jay, Oklahoma. The children ranged in age from 4 to 17, andincluded 8 girls and one boy. DHS says that the family was not fostering any children at the time, and they don't know where all of the children inthe home came from.
In addition to the 11 people living in the filth-covered home, there were more 50 animals, including 20primates (spider monkeys, lemurs, and marmosets), 20 miniature horses, cattle, alpacas, goats, a buffalo, dogs, cats, and two raccoons.
According to reports, a 14-year-old girl was being abused by Deidre Matthews and one of her siblings, and Deidre is accused of failing to get medical attentionfor the child after she was bitten by a spider monkey. When DHS failed to remove the girl from the home, someone called the Delaware County Sheriff'sOffice to ask them to investigate. Deputies took the girl into protective custody and allowed the remaining children to leave the home with Jerry Matthews.Jerry and Deidre Matthews are no longer married.
As a result of the abuse and neglect allegations, Jerry and Deidre Matthews were each charged with multiple counts of child abuse, child neglect, childendangerment, and enabling child abuse.
Now, Jerry Matthews has agreed to a plea bargain. In exchange for a suspended life sentence and the dismissal of the remaining charges, he will plead nocontest to two counts of child neglect, and he will testify against his ex-wife.
As a result of his plea agreement, Matthews cannot be around children, and he will be on supervised probation for the rest of his life. If the 65-year-oldman breaks any laws or violates his probation, his suspended sentence could be revoked, and he would be ordered to prison for the rest of his life.
Deidre Matthews is charged with 14 counts of child abuse, seven counts of child neglect and charges of child endangerment and enabling child abuse.Her next court date is scheduled for July 25. If she does not enter a guilty plea or no contest plea at that time, the court will schedule her trial.
If convicted, she faces the possibility of life in prison.
