Jason Lee Belew, 34, remained in the Grayson County Jail after being arrested in connection with the death of Dakota Cheyenne Hughes, an 11-year-old girl who was found dead in a home in the 300 block of Dogwood Trail in Cartwright, Okla., near Lake Texoma early Sunday morning.
According to information released by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the little girl had been staying the night with her aunt when she died.
An affidavit of probable cause filed in the case said the aunt and the child had picked Belew up in Sherman, and that he was in the house in Cartwright, Okla. when the aunt went to sleep.
"The aunt found Dakota nude and dead on a bedroom floor. There were injuries to Dakota's face, head, neck and genitalia," Emily Redman, district attorney for the 19th District in Oklahoma, said.
Belew signed a release on Monday afternoon allowing his extradition to Oklahoma to face the first-degree murder charge that carries, if convicted, a penalty that could include the death sentence or imprisonment up to life.
Belew was arrested at 3 p.m. Sunday on a criminal mischief warrant out of Grayson County at a house in the 200 block of North Holly in Sherman.
The Office of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner received Hughes' body on Sunday and an autopsy was conducted. A spokesperson for that office said they anticipated having means and cause of death determined Monday, but a full autopsy report is not expected to be available in the immediate future.
Justice of the Peace Harry "Butch" Morgan conducted a magistrate hearing for Belew Monday afternoon and explained Belew's rights with regard to the extradition to Oklahoma.
"I explained to him that if he didn't sign the waiver (of extradition), I was going to set a $1 million bond on the fugitive warrant," Morgan said. He said at that point Belew asked if he could call his father to discuss the matter.
Belew, Morgan said, was allowed to make his call and when he returned, he said he wanted to go back to Oklahoma to face the charges there.
Morgan said he set $1,500 bonds each on charges of evading arrest, resisting arrest and criminal mischief that Belew will have to face, at some point, in Grayson County.
"I believe they have 10 days," Morgan said when asked how long it might be before someone from Oklahoma retrieved Belew.
"I can't speak for Oklahoma, but more than likely, they won't drag their feet on it," Morgan said.
Comments ... 30 found!
responsibility : 11/2/2009
In some states it doesn't matter who did what, the parents are responsible for every person that they leave their child with family or not!!
out of stater
Sweet Dakota : 10/27/2009
I agree that her aunt made horrible choices for someone who had no choice. A child depends on you to take care of them, protect and provide for them. That is our sole responsibility as adults and her aunt chose alcohol and a virtual stranger over her own niece. Enough is enough of children being harmed because of the choices of irresponsible adults. We miss you everday Dakota.
Mama
EXCUSE: Dakota was a daughter a friend and one of my cousins : 10/27/2009
Dakota was a wonderful child, she was sweet and innocent. There is not anything about Grayson County. But Belew killed someones daughter, and a wonderful cousin in our family. She is in heaven and she is pain free. But it doesn't take care of the loss and pain her family is going thru.
unkn
Honestly Al? : 10/26/2009
Please go re-read the definition of Criminal Negligence, think about it, ruminate on it, get help understanding it if need be and then come back and re-read my posts. Debbie Hughes was PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE for Dakota's safety. The choices she made on Dakota's behalf caused Dakota to be exposed to Belew. If you cannot fathom the term "personal responsibility" that is fine, welcome to 2009, you'll fit right in with the rest of society, but I do and charges should be brought against both Belew AND Debbie Hughes. Those who cannot accept personal responsibility should have it forced upon them by a jury of their peers.
PassinU OndaLeft
To pd : 10/25/2009
Whats your obsession w/Grayson counties justice system.Yes he got probation before,but not for murder!I guess we should hang em high for any crime.Prayers for Dakota.
Life taken
Blame Game : 10/24/2009
PassU OndaLeft, if this is the aunts fault for putting this child in harms way, then you are implying that she knew this guy was dangerous and the kid should not have been left with him. If that is the case (and maybe it is, I don't know), then the parents are equally responsible for leaving a 11-year-old daughter with a woman of this caliber who would have shady men over, drink all night, and then go to sleep leaving the girl alone with this monster, right? Are you saying the aunts family had no clue she drank and did things like this? I think not! So, where are the parents in all of this? They should be in jail too!
Honest Al
PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN AT ALL COST : 10/23/2009
AS A MOTHER OF 2 DAUGHTERS & A GRANDMOTHER TO 2 I FIND IT REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ANY OF US SHOULD THINK THAT THIS AUNT, IS COMPLETLY INNOCENT IN ALL OF THIS. I'M SURE SHE FEELS GUILT & SHE SHOULD. SHE BROUGHT THIS "ANIMAL" INTO HER HOME, WHERE SHE WAS SUPPSOSE TO TO BE CARING FOR HER NEICE, WELL!! DID SHE CARE FOR HER NEICE?? HE NEICE IS DEAD!! KILLED BY THIS "ANIMAL", THAT THIS ANUT, BROUGHT INTO HER HOME. IF YOU THINK I'M BEING SO HARD ON THIS AUNT, MAYBE I HAVE A RIGHT TO AS A MOM & A GRANDMOTHER, I THINK IF YOU ARE GOING TO DRINK & "PARTY", THEN DO IT BY YOURSELVES. NOT WITH YOUR CHILDREN OR YOUR NEICES, OR NEPHEWS AROUND WHERE THEY CAN GET HURT, RAPED, OR EVEN KILLED. HAS THIS AUNT STOPPED TO THINK HOW THIS MOM IS GOING TO HAVE TO FACE EACH DAY OF THE REST OF HER LIFE WITHOUT HER DAUGHTER, DAKOTA?? SO DO I THINK THE AUNT SHOULD SHARE SOME BLAME IN SOME OF THIS YES! YES! BECAUSE SHE IS GUILTY! SHE WENT TO SLEEP WITH THAT "ANIMAL" IN HER HOUSE, THE VERY SAME HOUSE THAT SWEET, LITTLE, GIRL, WAS SUPPOSE TO BE SAFE IN.
A MOM & GRANDMOTHER OF 2 IN GRAYSON COUNTY
Heartbroken for Dakota : 10/23/2009
My heart goes out for sweet Dakota. I can't even imagine the utter fear and pain she had to endure at the hands of someone so horrible. I agree that her aunt holds a lot of the responsibility for this tragedy, but I realize the only punishment she will suffer is knowing that Dakota died because of her absolute negligence...and maybe to some, that is punishment enough. As far as her attacker goes, I can only hope that he gets exactly what he deserves. I will never understand why innocent angels are taken away from us and we are left with dangerous people among us. I feel some comfort knowing that Dakota is in a place where she will never be harmed again. Rest in peace sweet angel, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Kristi
Aunt and Other : 10/23/2009
Yes the aunt should share responsibility in this. She should be charged as well. BUT...my question is WHERE ARE THIS CHILDS PARENTS?
enough
Belew : 10/23/2009
The good news is, this happened outside of Grayson County........he won't get probation this time.
pd
American : 10/23/2009
The aunt SHARES in the responsibility as she created the situation that allowed this to happen and should not be allowed to shirk that with "probation/counseling/addiciton treatment/etc". You stated that "she is still somewhat responsible maybe, but in a negligent manner and not a criminal manner. That's all I am saying". Actually, Negligent homicide IS a criminal charge brought against people who, through criminal negligence, allow others to die. So you ARE talking in a criminal manner. Spin this all you want but Debbie had a responsibility, just as you do for your child, to provide safety for Dakota. She did not and as such, society needs to keep it's promise regarding "rule of law". No maybe about it. Her actions are not akin to "your child being abducted while mowing the yard" and while I understand your arguement (not wanting to take personal responsibility) your point is just plain wrong and a clear indicator of what's wrong with today's society...
PassinU OndaLeft
To American : 10/23/2009
You can't compare a 'normal' everyday activity of a child to what happened to this little girl!! The aunt is clearly negligent in her behaviour by leaving this child alone with a 34 year old man, regardless of his history!! Check the definition of 'negligence'..... "Conduct that falls below the standards of behavior established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risk of harm"
Agree with PassinU
Please : 10/22/2009
The Young Girl is gone and we all are just blaming and accusing as to who should get what. I would like to request everybody to please keep the little girl in prayers and try to understand the agonizing pain that her friends and family is going through at this time.
Pray
To: PassinU : 10/22/2009
PassinU Onda Left, you are actually blaming the aunt for this. According to your logic, every parent who has a kid that gets ran over by a car on their bicycle while going to school is responsible for their childs death. I mean, in your own words, "THEIR ACTIONS put their kid in harms way". I guess I should stop letting my son mow the lawn because, if someone stops and abducts him, it would be my fault for having him out on the lawn and putting him in harms way, right? The bottom line: if the aunt knew that this guy was dangerous, it was clear negligence. If he was just a friend (or so she thought) over having a few beers, she went to bed, and the guy snapped and assaulted the girl, she is still somewhat responsible maybe, but in a negligent manner and not a criminal manner. That's all I am saying.
American
dakota : 10/21/2009
Im sure the aunt did feel drugged after drinking all day with an aquaintance! She was trusted to watch out for this little girl and she did not. Yes some parents party with their children in the home but most are responsible enough not to pass out drunk and leave their child with an aquaintance with a violent background!! AS for Belew the needle is an easy way out for him. Hang him to be tortured!
mother of two
justice for dakota : 10/21/2009
Debbie&Jason both should get the chair for there rowe in the death of Dakota
Rosemarie from Salina
Clue? : 10/21/2009
I'm not discussing whether her AUNT had a clue or not, but stating that her DIRECT ACTIONS had a bearing on how things turned out. It's called REPSONSIBILITY and Debbie Hughes had a RESPONSIBILITY to keep her 11 year old niece safe, but instead her DIRECT ACTIONS caused Dakota to be put into harm's way. In this instance Debbie was as close to a human form of God that Dakota had, and instead of protecting her, she gave her to Satan...
PassinU OndaLeft
Not Only God Will Judge : 10/21/2009
Sorry to burst your bubble, but God is not the ONLY judge. Yes, he will definitely judge, but so will a jury of Belew's peers and I hope that they hang his butt. As far as the aunt, I am mixed on this. She was definitely irresponsible in letting this fool alone with the girl but, on the other hand, how many parents party (or whatever) and go to bed or fall asleep with friends in the house? My point is that, while it proved fatal for the girl, I doubt that the aunt had any clue that this animal would kill the girl. Regardless, I hope he fries! Just my 2 cents.
American
Debbie Hughes : 10/21/2009
It was Debbie's responsibility to keep this child safe from harm. She had a choice, Dakota did not. What Belew did is unforgivable, but so was Debbie Hughes' actions as well. She brought Belew into her house and traded that for Dakota's life. Other news outlets are claiming that "beer and malt liquor were consumed all day long" by Belew and Debbie. Belew did the act, but Debbie enabled it to happen. Family should be there to protect. Debbie's responsibility was to keep Dakota safe...
PassinU OndaLeft
Crazy : 10/20/2009
it seems crazy-facts presented- of course. Hang them high,
TMCDANIEL
Debbie Hughes : 10/20/2009
To the person who said that Dakota's aunt should be in the chair next to Belew. Did you ever think that the aunt may have been drug. I know Debbie and she is feeling guilty enough so would you please not jump to conclusion until you know the whole story. God is the only one to judge.
Prayers are with the family of Dakota
crack heads all : 10/20/2009
every adult in that house should face murder charges this is how low some folks can go. death penlity to all involved
robert
: 10/20/2009
If you go to grayson county web site, you would see that he has a record since 2000 for violance. My prayers are with the family of this little girl. God must have needed another angel in heaven.
up set in grayson
Dakota : 10/20/2009
Is the aunt insane? How irresponsible!!! She needs to be in the chair right next to Belew!
Praying for the mistreated
Grayson County Man Held : 10/20/2009
I am a firm believer in justice when all reasonable doubt has been determined. Where someone has been found guilty of preying on children, my idea of punishment is death by fire ants. The guilty should be stripped naked and staked down on top a fire ant mound on a really hot day when the ants are most active.
Vigilant Citizen
: 10/20/2009
I don't know any of the people involved but I believe the chair would be to easy of a punishment. Let the little girls family take care of his death. Start by pulling off one toe nail at a time. There is NO punishment good enough for a person that would do this to a child.
Shermanite
dakota hughes : 10/20/2009
i love dacota and her sister that man will pay for what he has done
from cartwright
OndaLeft : 10/20/2009
So the aunt, who's in charge of this 11 year old child, picks the guy up, brings them to her house and then falls asleep? Charges should be brought to her as well for the role she played in this tragic death.
Passin U
: 10/20/2009
PLease pray for the little girl and her family. Why would some man do such a terrible thing to a innoncent girl. My prayers go out to all families invloved. JUSTICE will be served for Mr. Belew
Lorie
: 10/20/2009
Dakota was a wonderful child they should bring back the chair for him
sad
LOCAL AND WIRE 
RSS Feeds 
