Nanny charged with murder after allegedly stabbing child’s grandfather to death

A 35-year-old nanny has been charged with murder and denied bail after authorities say she fatally stabbed her elderly grandfather while she was caring for a 3-year-old child at a Michigan home over the weekend.

Royal Oak police say Samantha Rae Booth was having a “manic” episode when the child’s grandfather arrived for a welfare check.

Authorities say Booth not only killed the 83-year-old man, but also ran from police, attacked another family member with a screwdriver, was stripped naked and was found with suspected psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana in her purse. FOX 11 Los Angeles reported.

Booth was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, assault and resisting, assaulting or obstructing police. According to the station, the judge said the child abuse charge stemmed from the fact that the alleged murder was committed in front of a child.

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According to police, the horrific incident began when the child’s mother, who was out of town on Friday, asked her father to check on her daughter because she was being cared for by a nanny. When she could not receive any news, the mother sent the child’s uncle home.

Police said the uncle heard noises coming from the basement when he entered the house. When she went downstairs, she found the nanny in a “manic” state, covered in blood, and the child’s grandfather, David Ong, lying on the floor with serious injuries. Ong received emergency medical attention but ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

The uncle then caught the child in the basement and tried to escape. Police said the man repeatedly fended off attacks by the nanny as he left the house.

Booth allegedly pursued them with a screwdriver, but the uncle and the boy eventually took shelter in a nearby house until police arrived.

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Samantha Rae Booth is charged with first-degree murder and other crimes after she allegedly stabbed 83-year-old David Ong to death on October 24, 2025, in Royal Oak, Michigan. (Royal Oak Police Department)

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Authorities allege Booth stopped chasing the uncle, dropped the screwdriver and took off his clothes before running away from police. It was learned that the suspect, who had blood on his hands, was detained after a short pursuit. Although he initially tried to escape, police said he was quickly caught.

Police said the boy and his uncle suffered minor injuries and were taken to Corewell Hospital for evaluation, where they were treated and released a short time later.

Authorities said Booth had previously cared for the child for two years without incident, FOX 11 Los Angeles reported.

David Ong is seen in a family photo taken inside a house. Authorities said Ong was fatally attacked while protecting his 3-year-old grandson. (Ong family/Facebook)

“We extend our deepest condolences to the victim’s family as they struggle with this tragic and senseless act of violence. No family should have to endure such a loss, and we keep them in our thoughts,” Royal Oak Police Chief Michael Moore said in a statement. he said.

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Ong’s daughter Kelley shared a statement in a Facebook post on Sunday: “My father, David Ong, died tragically Friday evening while protecting his beloved 3-year-old grandson. The loss is immeasurable. Anyone who knew my father knows he was a gentle giant; a man of incredible kindness, love and faith. I have often said that he was the best man I have ever known.”

“He was a hero on Friday, but he was always my hero to me.”