David Ong traveled to his daughter's home in Royal Oak, Michigan on Oct. 24, 2025, after she asked him to check on her then-3-year-old daughter while the mother was out of town and Samantha Rae Booth was babysitting.
When he stopped responding to calls, the child's uncle went to the residence and found Booth "in a manic state covered in blood" in the basement. Ong lay on the floor with severe injuries that would later prove fatal.
Background
The 83-year-old grandfather had been summoned by his daughter because she was traveling and wanted someone to verify her daughter's welfare while Booth, who was providing childcare, remained at the home.
Royal Oak police said when the uncle arrived, he discovered the horrific scene and immediately grabbed the toddler in an attempt to flee. According to prosecutors, Booth attacked him as he tried to escape with the child.
"The victim was able to inhale, to breathe, and also to try to fend off," Oakland County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Ljubisa Dragovic testified during Thursday's preliminary examination, describing how Ong fought back during the attack before succumbing to his injuries.
The Investigation
Dragovic told the court that Ong suffered more than 40 penetrating wounds to his head and face alone, in addition to injuries to his chest, back, hands and forearms. He testified the wounds were consistent with being inflicted by a screwdriver or similar tool.
"It was a process where the victim was able to inhale, to breathe, and also to try to fend off," Dragovic explained during testimony reported by WDIV. "The injuries were not immediately fatal."
The medical examiner said the victim's manner of death was homicide and cause of death was multiple sharp-force injuries. He noted that several wounds overlapped and that the total number of injuries may have exceeded those documented in his initial report.
Injuries to Ong's hands and forearms were consistent with defensive wounds, Dragovic testified, indicating he attempted to protect himself during what prosecutors describe as a prolonged attack.
"There was a lot of blunt force trauma as well," Booth's attorney noted during cross-examination while questioning whether some injuries could have resulted from falls or CPR efforts rather than the alleged assault. Dragovic acknowledged certain individual wounds might have alternative explanations but maintained that "the overall pattern of trauma supported his conclusions."
The Charges
Booth, 36, is facing charges of first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of resisting or obstructing police in connection with the October slaying.
Royal Oak police Officer Austin Pelitz testified that responding officers found the home's front door open and discovered Ong at the bottom of the basement stairs. He said someone had placed a bag over Ong's head and that authorities recovered three screwdrivers near the body.
According to prosecutors, Booth allegedly discarded the screwdriver after chasing the uncle and child outside, removed all her clothing, and fled before officers arrested her nearby. They have also alleged she was under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms during the attack.
Key Takeaways
- David Ong, 83, died from more than 40 penetrating wounds to his head and face inflicted with a screwdriver, according to medical examiner testimony
- The grandfather had gone to check on his 3-year-old granddaughter after his daughter asked him to verify her welfare while out of town
- Booth allegedly attacked the child's uncle when he arrived at the home and found her in a blood-covered manic state in the basement
- She then chased both the uncle and child outside while armed with a screwdriver before they escaped to a neighbor's home
- Police recovered three screwdrivers near Ong's body inside the Royal Oak residence
- The preliminary examination continues as a judge determines whether the case will proceed to trial
What's Next
The preliminary examination is scheduled to continue later this week before Judge David M. Fisher decides whether sufficient evidence exists to bind Booth over for trial on all charges.
No trial date has been set, and Booth remains in custody without bond pending further proceedings. The child's uncle and the 3-year-old girl were not seriously injured during the incident.