Samantha Booth’s Facebook profile may display the words “All things love,” but the former nanny is now facing murder charges. Booth was babysitting for a 3-year-old in Royal Oak, Michigan, on October 24, 2025. The child’s mother reportedly tried to reach Booth, and when she didn’t respond, she sent her father, 83-year-old David Ong, to check on things. She had no idea her father would soon be dead.
The child’s mom was out of town that weekend, and when Ong didn’t call her back, she became even more concerned, the Detroit Free Press reported. An uncle then went to check on his niece and the grandfather and discovered a gruesome scene: Ong was on the floor, covered in blood.
Booth allegedly began attacking the uncle with a screwdriver, but he grabbed the toddler and escaped unharmed. KTVU reported that the man and child sheltered at a nearby home while waiting for police to arrive. The babysitter reportedly stripped off her clothes and left the home. Police located her a short time later with blood on her hands.
Police found what they believe to be psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana in Booth’s bag, but it’s unclear whether she used the drugs on the night of the killing, according to KTVU. Booth had babysat for the family for two years and had no prior criminal history.
“We should all be grateful for the brave actions by her uncle to rescue the two-year-old from this horrific and dangerous situation,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald shared, per KTVU. “David Ong’s murder is a shocking tragedy, and the person responsible will be held accountable.”
A judge ordered Booth jailed without bond, the Free Press reported. She faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, felony assault, and three counts of resisting and obstructing. If convicted, she faces life in prison.
Kelley Ong Smith, David Ong’s daughter, shared a heartbreaking post about her father on October 26 on Facebook. She called it the “saddest post” she’d ever written.
“I ask for your prayers for my wonderful family – most especially my mom. They shared a 65+ year love,” she shared. “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…”
What a devastating story. Booth had no criminal history, and on social media, she seemed to be a happy, free-spirited person. If she did take drugs that night and they altered her state of mind so severely that she killed someone, that serves as just another reason to never ingest any mind-altering substance. No matter how much fun someone tells you it could be, nothing is worth a potentially deadly outcome.
