OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A man was stabbed to death at his daughter’s Royal Oak home on Friday, and his grandchild’s nanny was charged with his murder.
The attack happened around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 on Sheridan Drive near Woodward Avenue.
Officers responded to the area for reports of a man calling for help. When they arrived, they found Samantha Booth, 35, with blood on her hands outside the home. She was arrested after a brief chase.
Inside the home, officers found David Ong, 83, unresponsive in the basement with multiple stab wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
What happened, how nanny knew family
Police said Ong was contacted by his daughter, the owner of the Royal Oak home, at around 7:50 p.m. on Oct. 24. She asked him to check on his granddaughter, who was under Booth’s care while she was out of town.
According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, the family had known Booth for two years and had previously cared for the child without incident.
Ong went to the home a short time later but did not give his daughter any updates. Ong’s daughter then called her brother-in-law and asked him to check on both her father and child.
At around 9:25 p.m. that night, the homeowner’s brother-in-law, the child’s uncle, went into the home through the front door. Police said he heard noises coming from the basement and called out to Booth, but she didn’t respond.
Police said the child’s uncle then encountered Booth in “a manic state,” covered in blood, and Ong lying on the floor with severe head injuries.
The uncle picked up the child and tried to run from the basement to call 911. While he was running, Booth was allegedly trying to attack him with a screwdriver.
The child’s uncle eventually found a group of people outside who were able to shelter them inside their home and call 911.
Police said Booth stopped chasing the man and the child, took off all of her clothing and dropped the screwdriver. She then ran away from the officers but was quickly arrested.
The child and uncle were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. They were treated and released a short time later.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Booth appeared normal at the start of the day and into the afternoon.
Officers also found suspected psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana in Booth’s purse.
Nanny charged
Booth was charged with six felonies: First-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon and three counts of assaulting a police officer.
She was scheduled to appear in court via Zoom on Oct. 28. However, she refused to show herself.
According to the corrections officer on the Zoom call, Booth took off her clothes, lay down in the holding cell and apparently refused to cooperate with him and her attorney.
After further discussions between the judge, the defense and prosecution, Booth agreed to hear her charges. But, her attorney said she will not show herself on the call, but her attorney will represent her.
Her attorney said she pleaded not guilty to her charges.
The judge denied bond, saying Booth is a “present danger to society” and believes she could flee if she were given the opportunity.
Her next court appearance is on Nov. 7, 2025.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.