(Stillwater, Okla.) — A Cushing man has been jailed on $200,000 bail pending a May 5 court appearance on charges of sexually abusing three children to whom he is related and physically abusing one of them.

    Donald Wayne Ward Jr., 35, could be given two life prison terms plus 85 years if convicted of a six-count charge filed by prosecutor Lynn Hermanson earlier this month.

    Payne County Sheriff’s Investigator Larry Kitchel had received information two years ago of Ward possibly fondling a female relative, then under the age of 16, who said she would testify if needed, his affidavit alleged.

    After two young male relatives said that they had been sexually abused by Ward, the investigator was contacted by the state Department of Human Services “advising the kids had recanted their story about defendant touching them,” the affidavit said.

    When he was interviewed two years ago, Ward denied the alleged incidents happened, the affidavit said.

    In January of this year, the investigator was notified by Payne County Deputy David Barnes “that the mother of the juveniles had contacted the Sheriff’s Office, wanting to make a report that the incidents did happen in 2012,” the affidavit alleged.

    The following month, the boys were again interviewed, this time at the Saville Center in Stillwater with forensic interview Holly Chandler talking to them, while the investigator and DHS worker Audrey Webber observed, the affidavit said.

    A 14-year-old boy said that two years ago when his sister made a report, he told the truth to DHS, but later after his mother found out, she had them lie about it, the affidavit alleged.

    He described two alleged incidents occurring between 2009 and 2011, according to court documents.

    A 15-year-old boy said that his mother would not believe it, but it happened to him more than once, beginning when he was about 10-years-old, the affidavit alleged.

    He said “Mom told him to forget about it, he was dreaming, it did not happen,” the affidavit alleged.

    He also said that when he would not be cooperative with Ward, he was beaten by Ward, the affidavit alleged.

    He also “spoke about the first report of Mom telling them to lie,” the affidavit alleged.

***