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4300 block of Sheridan Drive (Google maps photo)
A nanny, 35, has been charged in last week's fatal stabbing of a young girl's 83-year-old grandfather inside a Royal Oak home, police said Tuesday.
The nanny, Samantha Rae Booth, 35, of Chesterfield Township in Macomb County, was arraigned Tuesday in 44th District Court in Royal Oak on multiple charges including homicide--first-degree murder. She has no known criminal past and is being held in the Oakland County Jail.
Samantha Rae Booth, 35 (Police photo)
Royal Oak Police said the mother, who was out of town, had called her father David Ong, 83, of Bloomfield Hills around 7:50 p.m. Friday to check up on her three-year-old daughter.
Ong arrived at the home a short time later, but failed to update his daughter on the situation. So, she called her brother-in-law to go to the house.
Around 9:25 p.m., he arrived at the home, heard noises in the basement and called out to the nanny, who did not respond, police said.
In the basement he found the nanny in a "manic" state covered in blood and David Ong lying on the floor, suffering from wounds.
The brother-in-law grabbed the little girl, his niece, and attempted to escape from the basement to call 911, but had to fend off repeated attacks from the nanny, police said.
Grandfather David Ong (Funeral home photo)
Once outside, the nanny continued to try to attack the man and little girl with a screwdriver until someone in the neighborhood was able to shelter them in a home and call 911.
After that, the nanny stripped off her clothes, dropped the screwdriver and started running, but was quickly apprehended by police.
The uncle and niece suffered minor injuries and were treated at the hospital and released, police said.
His daughter Kelley Ong Smith posted on Facebook Sunday:
"I have to share the saddest post I’ve ever written and I ask for your prayers. My father, David Ong, died tragically on Friday evening while protecting his cherished 3-year-old granddaughter."
"The loss is immeasurable. Anyone who knows my dad knows that he is a gentle giant - a man of incredible kindness, love and faith. I’ve often said he is simply the best man I know."
"I ask for your prayers for my wonderful family - most especially my mom. They shared a 65+ year love."
"Hug your loved ones every day and let them know how important they are. This precious life of ours is limited. We take incredible comfort knowing my dad fast tracked it up to heaven and is celebrating with God, the angels and all of his loved ones. He was a hero on Friday, but to me, he’s always been my hero. I love you forever Dad…"
An obituary on the A.J. Desmonds & Sons, said of David Ong:
"David grew up between Ridgway, Pennsylvania and Allen Park, Michigan where friends knew him as “Downriver Dave.” A proud graduate of Allen Park High School, he played football, basketball and baseball. He received the Willie Heston Academic and Athletic Scholarship to the University of Michigan, was proud to be a left-footed kicker and later returned to the University to earn his MBA."
"David married the love of his life, Jacqueline Paulus Ong, and stood by her side through every joy and sorrow for more than six decades."
"He began his career at National Bank of Detroit in commercial lending where he worked for seven years. He then spent a year with Ford Motor Credit before returning to NBD’s mortgage company for eight years. In 1980, he pursued his dream of entrepreneurship and founded Acquest Realty Advisors, a commercial real estate consulting and development firm he led for 45 years. Under his leadership, the company developed numerous full-service hotels and convention centers across the United States."
"David is the most loving husband to Jacqueline. He is the devoted father of Kelley Smith (Doug), Molly DeFrancesco (John), Patrick (Michelle) and Katie. He is “Grandpa Dave” to Bailey, Ryan, Kaitlyn, Madison, Michael, Megan, Lauren, Graham, Audry, Allison and Tessa."
Visitation is planned for Friday, Oct. 31 at Desmond Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Road in Troy from 1 to 5 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church, 2215 Opdyke Road in Bloomfield Hills on Saturday, Nov. 1, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. and Mass at 10 a.m.
