A Checotah couple running a daycare center out of their home pled not guilty on Dec. 10 to multiple counts of child abuse and other charges.

On Dec. 15, Stephanie Smith, 38, filed for divorce from Jacob Daniel Smith, 32.

Jacob Smith, in addition to child abuse, was charged with lewd or indecent acts as to a child under 16.

After a lengthy investigation that began on July 7, Checotah police and Sheriff ’s deputies arrested the husband and wife on Oct. 1.

Bond for Jacob Daniel Smith, 32, has been set at $2 million. Bond for Stephanie Smith, 38, is set at $500,000.

Both are to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Jan. 21, 2026, for a pre-preliminary conference.

On July 7, after receiving several complaints from parents and children about abuse taking place at the facility, Officers Jacob Mitchell and D. Mitchell launched an investigation that continued until the Smiths were arrested.

During that period several parents, and their children who were enrolled in the daycare center, were interviewed.

Lawmen confiscated security cameras, cell phones and other evidence they say confirmed many of the allegations.

Among the allegations: some children were made to stand against a wall with their nose in a circle or stand in a corner with their arms stretched outward; there were several instances of verbal abuse; some children were shaken and thrown.

The daycare owners allegedly cursed at the children, called them disparaging names, and in once instance a child’s mouth was taped shut.

The report stated that a 2-year-old was picked up by both legs and thrown into a pile of toys and that Jacob Smith threatened to put a little girl in a box.

In a cell phone video, police say there was an image of Jacob Mitchell sitting at a desk masturbating at 7 a.m. while a child was sitting in the room watching television.

There was also other sexually explicit videos on a cell phone, according to the information filed by police.