A Checotah couple accused of abusing children in an in-home daycare appeared April 16 in McIntosh County District Court for a preliminary hearing before Associate District Judge Brendon Bridges.

Jacob and Stephanie Smith were arrested following an investigation into alleged incidents that date back to June and July 2025. According to a prob-able cause affidavit, the case began July 7, 2025, after children disclosed abuse to family members, prompting an investigation that included interviews and the recovery of video footage from inside the daycare.

The affidavit alleges children were subjected to physical and verbal mistreatment, including being forced to stand in corners as punishment, handled roughly and called inappropriate names. Investigators also reported recovering video that appeared to corroborate several of the children’s statements.

Jacob Smith faces multiple felony counts, including child neglect, performing lewd acts in the presence of a minor, and seven felony charges of child abuse. Stephanie Smith was charged with child neglect, two charges of child abuse and conspiracy.

The couple pled not guilty in a pre-preliminary hearing on Dec. 10, 2025.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Stephanie Smith waived her right to a preliminary hearing. Prosecutors proceeded with the case against Jacob Smith, presenting video evidence during the proceedings.

The court viewed footage showing a child in the room watching television during the alleged incident. The investigating officer testified that Jacob Smith’s phone had been recovered, and timestamps indicated that inappropriate photos were taken and sent to his wife during the same time period the child was present. The defense argued the conduct did not occur within the child’s view.

Both cases will be heard in May. Stephanie’s next court date is May 14 and Smith’s is May 21.