A disturbing case in Moore, Oklahoma, has raised serious questions about what allegedly happened inside an in-home daycare after surveillance footage reportedly captured a 25-year-old childcare worker using wet wipes on crying children in a way that investigators say amounted to abuse.
Samantha Pearson was charged with three counts of child abuse in Cleveland County on August 25, 2026, and booked into jail on a $300,000 bond. According to a probable-cause affidavit, investigators reviewing the daycare’s surveillance footage allegedly saw Pearson put wet wipes into the mouths of two children during diaper changes, while other footage allegedly showed physical contact including slapping and a child being slammed back onto a changing table. Pearson has not been convicted, and the allegations remain pending in court.
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What Did the Oklahoma Daycare Surveillance Footage Allegedly Show?
The case centres on surveillance footage from Pearson’s in-home daycare in Moore, Oklahoma, where investigators say several incidents were recorded in June.
According to the probable-cause affidavit filed in Cleveland County and cited by local authorities, investigators reviewed the home surveillance footage after concerns were raised about the treatment of children in Pearson’s care.
The footage allegedly showed Pearson changing the diapers of two children when they began crying. Investigators allege that Pearson responded by putting wet wipes into the children’s mouths in an attempt to make them stop crying.
One alleged incident reportedly became even more concerning when a child attempted to spit the wipe out. Pearson is accused of responding by putting another wet wipe into the child’s mouth.
The alleged conduct was reportedly captured by the daycare’s home surveillance system in June and later became an important part of the investigation.
The children identified in the affidavit were 3 and 4 years old.
Some initial reports described the children as infants, but subsequent clarification established that the children identified in the criminal case were 3 and 4 years old.
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Child Allegedly Slapped and Slammed Onto Changing Table
The allegations described in the court documents reportedly went beyond the use of wet wipes.
Investigators also allege that surveillance footage showed Pearson physically handling one of the children after the child attempted to crawl away from the changing table.
According to the affidavit, Pearson allegedly grabbed the child and slammed the child back onto the changing table. Investigators also allege that Pearson was captured on video striking the child with an open hand.
The surveillance footage subsequently became a key piece of evidence in the investigation that resulted in the criminal charges.
The alleged incidents reportedly occurred while the children were under Pearson’s supervision at the in-home daycare.
Because the case is still pending, the allegations described in the affidavit have not been established as facts in a criminal conviction. Pearson remains presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty in court.
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Former Daycare Parent Says She Had Concerns About Her Son’s Treatment
While the criminal case focuses on the children identified in the affidavit, another parent has publicly described concerns involving her own son, who previously attended Pearson’s daycare.
Brittany Moser-Moxley told KWTV that her child was not identified as one of the alleged victims in the criminal case. However, she said concerns about Pearson’s treatment of her son eventually led her to remove him from the daycare.
Moser-Moxley also alleged that Pearson once left her husband in charge of the children without notifying parents.
She described another incident involving her son and said:
“She texted me, told me my son was turning purple and blue.”
Moser-Moxley said she subsequently removed her son from the daycare.
Her account relates to circumstances separate from the allegations involving the two children identified in the criminal case and does not establish that her son was one of the victims named in Pearson’s charges.
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Pearson Had No Childcare License Since 2025, Oklahoma Human Services Says
The case has also drawn attention to Pearson’s childcare licensing status.
Oklahoma Human Services confirmed that Pearson had not held a childcare license since 2025. The agency said it was investigating the allegations involving the daycare.
The agency’s Child Care Services program is responsible for licensing and monitoring childcare programmes in Oklahoma. Its responsibilities include investigating complaints and taking action when violations of childcare requirements are established.
For parents researching childcare options, Oklahoma Human Services also provides access to information about childcare programmes through its Child Care Locator. The resource includes licensing and monitoring information as well as certain complaint findings.
Pearson’s licensing status is therefore a separate but important part of the case as authorities investigate what allegedly occurred at the Moore daycare.
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Samantha Pearson Charged With Three Counts of Child Abuse in Cleveland County
The District 21 District Attorney’s Office said Pearson was charged with three counts of child abuse on August 25, 2026.
She was subsequently booked into jail on a $300,000 bond.
According to reporting based on court records, conditions associated with Pearson’s release include GPS monitoring and restrictions on contact with the alleged victims and their families.
The charges stem from the allegations documented in the probable-cause affidavit and the surveillance footage reviewed by investigators.
Pearson’s case is scheduled to move forward with a preliminary hearing on September 29, 2026.
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Oklahoma Daycare Case: Key Details at a Glance
| Official detail | Information |
| Defendant | Samantha Pearson |
| Age | 25 |
| Location | Moore, Oklahoma |
| Charges | Three counts of child abuse |
| County | Cleveland County |
| Date charged | August 25, 2026 |
| Bond | $300,000 |
| Alleged incidents | June 2026 |
| Children identified in affidavit | Ages 3 and 4 |
| Evidence cited | Home surveillance footage and probable-cause affidavit |
| Release conditions reported | GPS monitoring and restrictions on contact |
| Preliminary hearing | September 29, 2026 |
| Childcare licensing status | No childcare license since 2025, according to Oklahoma Human Services |
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Prosecutors Stress That Pearson Is Presumed Innocent
Despite the disturbing nature of the allegations, prosecutors have emphasised that being charged with a crime does not mean a defendant has been found guilty.
The District 21 District Attorney’s Office stated:
“Charges are based on probable cause that a person has committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.”
That distinction is particularly important as the case moves through the Oklahoma court system.
A probable-cause affidavit outlines allegations and the information investigators believe supports criminal charges. It is not itself a finding of guilt.
The prosecution will now have to pursue the case through the criminal justice process, while Pearson retains the presumption of innocence unless prosecutors ultimately establish the charges in court.
At the same time, Oklahoma Human Services is conducting a separate investigation connected to the childcare allegations.
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What Happens Next in the Oklahoma Daycare Child Abuse Case?
The next major development is expected to come with Pearson’s preliminary hearing, currently scheduled for September 29, 2026.
The hearing will form part of the ongoing criminal proceedings stemming from the allegations described in the probable-cause affidavit and the surveillance footage reviewed by investigators.
The case could also continue to attract attention because it involves both criminal allegations and a separate investigation by Oklahoma Human Services into the childcare circumstances.
For families, the case highlights the importance of understanding childcare licensing and monitoring information when choosing an in-home daycare. Oklahoma Human Services provides parents with access to its Child Care Locator, including information concerning licensing, monitoring and certain complaint findings.
However, the specific allegations against Pearson remain matters for the courts and investigators to resolve.
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Oklahoma Daycare Investigation Remains Ongoing as Charges Move Forward
The allegations against Samantha Pearson centre on children who were reportedly under her supervision at an in-home daycare in Moore, Oklahoma.
Investigators say surveillance footage documented portions of the alleged conduct, including Pearson allegedly placing wet wipes into the mouths of two children during diaper changes. The affidavit also describes allegations that Pearson slapped a child with an open hand and slammed the child back onto a changing table after the child attempted to crawl away.
The children identified in the criminal case were 3 and 4 years old.
Separately, former daycare parent Brittany Moser-Moxley described concerns involving her own son, who was not identified as one of the alleged victims in Pearson’s criminal case. Moser-Moxley said those concerns ultimately led her to remove her son from the daycare and also described other circumstances involving supervision at the facility.
Pearson was charged with three counts of child abuse on August 25 and booked on a $300,000 bond. Reported release conditions include GPS monitoring and restrictions on contact with the alleged victims and their families.
As of September 4, 2026, Pearson has been charged but has not been convicted of the allegations described in the case. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 29, while Oklahoma Human Services continues its separate investigation.
The case therefore remains active, with the court proceedings and agency investigation still capable of bringing further details to light.
Disclaimer and Sources
This article has been prepared on the basis of research from the following sources: KOCO, KWTV News 9, the District 21 District Attorney’s Office, and Oklahoma Human Services, including its Child Care Services, Child Care Licensing Requirements and Child Care Locator information.
The allegations concerning Samantha Pearson are based on court documents, statements attributed to authorities and witness accounts described by the cited sources. The article does not present allegations as established facts. Samantha Pearson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Details may change as the criminal case progresses, additional court records become available or Oklahoma Human Services releases further information.
Sources
- KOCO
- KWTV News 9
- District 21 District Attorney’s Office
- Oklahoma Human Services — Child Care Services
- Oklahoma Human Services — Child Care Licensing Requirements
- Oklahoma Human Services — Child Care Locator
Featured Image Credit: Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office
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