Bubbaworld

Publication Date: 8/03/05
Last Update: 11/03/06

This is the story of a four year old boy who lived and almost died in the small town of Braggs, Oklahoma. It is a story that has made street tough cops cry. It is a story that makes decent people enraged. It is a story that shocks the average person to their very core. It is the story of a little boy allegedly, beaten, bound, locked in a closet, induced to drink rubbing alcohol and fed a diet that at times consisted of a single cup of ramen noodles each day.

It is a story that will break your heart and leave you questioning how could anyone be so cruel to another human being, let alone their own child. But more than anything else it is a story of survival against almost impossible odds and in a house of unimaginable horrors.

Part 1 of this series of articles details the basics of this unimaginable case of child abuse, reveals the family members accused of abusing the child, and points out gross failures in a system intended to protect children.

Part 2 provides an update on the child as he learns to live in a civilized world free of monsters, reveals a possible motivation for his torture and tells the story of a white knight riding to the rescue only to be shot out of the saddle.

Part 3 details the filing of charges against a fourth person in this horrifying case of child abuse and provides an update on the victim as he adjusts to life outside the torture chamber in which he lived for so long.

Part 4 provides an update on significant events between August 2005 and August 2006. The trial of Melanie Smith is currently set to begin on August 30, 2006.

Part 5 provides an update on significant events since the delay of the trial of Melanie Smith previously set to begin on August 30, 2006.

Part 6 covers the trial of Melanie Smith, which began on October 30, 2006, concluded with her conviction on November 3 and her sentencing on December 11, 2006.

How You Can Help

A fund has been set up to benefit the child in his recovery. Contributions may be made by check or money order payable to ‘For Deposit Only’ and sent to the following address:

Bank First – Muskogee
Minor Child R.K. Account
P.O. Box 1489
Muskogee, OK 74402

Phone: (918) 683-5551

A Muskogee, OK attorney Eric Jones has been appointed to represent the boy’s civil rights and two points of contact have been set up for those wishing to send cards and well wishes to the child. Those addresses are as follows:

Minor Child R.K.
c/o Eric Jones
1515 E Okmulgee St.
Muskogee, OK 74403

If you have any questions regarding sending cards or gifts please call Attorney Jones at (918) 686-8181
The second point of contact is:

Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office
P.O. Box 2428
Attn: Jan Ray for R.K.
Muskogee, OK 74402

For those wishing to send a card or letter to acknowledge the valiant efforts of the officers of the various law enforcement agencies that participated in the rescue of this child we provide the following address:

Gore City Police Dept.
108 N Main St.
Gore, OK 74435

Muskogee County Sheriff
220 State St.
Muskogee, OK 74401

For those wishing to contact the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to voice their opinion on this case we provide the following contact info:

Department of Human Services
727 S. 32nd
Muskogee, OK 74403

Phone: (918) 684-5300
Phone (Toll Free): 1-800-815-7573
Fax: (918) 684-5366

DHS Muskogee County Director Mike Jackson maybe contacted via e-mail at: [email protected]

Those wishing to contact Mr. Jackson or other members of staff of the Muskogee, OK DHS office are requested and reminded to keep it civil while making their views known.