A nanny caring for a toddler at a Royal Oak home has been charged in the Oct. 24 fatal stabbing of the child’s 83-year-old grandfather as well as injuring the child and another family member while armed with a screwdriver, officials said.
The alleged killer, Samantha Rae Booth, 35, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of first-degree murder and other felonies, and is held without bond in the Oakland County Jail.
The victim, David Ong of Bloomfield Hills, died from “multiple sharp force injuries to the head and hands, and complications thereof,” according to the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office. Booth allegedly attacked Ong when he went to his daughter’s home on Sheridan Drive in Royal Oak to check on his toddler granddaughter, as requested by his daughter — the child’s mother — officials said. The child’s mother was out of town at the time.
After Ong didn’t report back to his daughter, she contacted her brother-in-law to check on him and her child, officials said.
The brother-in-law found the home’s front door open, heard noises coming from the basement and called out to Booth who didn’t answer, officials said. He encountered Booth “in a manic state covered in blood,” and found Ogg lying on the basement floor with severe injuries, according to a news release from the Royal Oak Police Department. He then grabbed the child and, while attempting to escape and call police, was attacked repeatedly by Booth, police said. Armed with a screwdriver, Booth continued to pursue him and the child, but they eventually were sheltered inside a neighbor’s home and called 911, police said.
Officers arrived to find the nanny had stripped off her clothes and was covered in blood, police said. She was arrested after a brief foot chase, police said.
Ong was unresponsive in the home’s basement with multiple stab wounds, and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The homeowner’s brother-in-law and child were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital and released a short time later, police said.
Booth, a resident of Chesterfield Township, has no known criminal history, police said. Ong’s daughter reportedly has known her for approximately two years.
Along with first-degree premeditated homicide, Booth is charged with second-degree child abuse, felonious assault and three counts of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer. Her next court appearance is tentatively set for Nov. 7.
‘Immeasurable loss’
A social media post from Ong’s daughter, Kelley Ong Smith, said he died “while protecting his cherished 3 year old granddaughter.”
“The loss is immeasurable,” she stated.
According to Ong’s obituary, he was “the most loving husband to Jacqueline” — his wife of more than 60 years — devoted father of four, and “Grandpa Dave” to 11.
The obituary further states, in part: “David’s life was defined by faith, humility and a gentle spirit. He was deeply caring, a true friend and a steady source of encouragement and support. He took joy in understanding everything about his children and grandchildren. He loved sports and rarely missed a chance to cheer for his Wolverines, Lions and Tigers. He enjoyed rides in his convertible, loved music and served as a mentor to his family and to many colleagues and employees.”
Ong founded the commercial real estate consulting and development firm, Acquest Realty Advisors, which he led for 45 years, the obituary states.
Visitation is planned for Oct. 31 at Desmond Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road in Troy from 1 to 5 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church, 2215 Opdyke Road in Bloomfield Hills on Nov. 1, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m.
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