‘Hero’ grandfather dies protecting 3-year-old from nanny attack, MI reports say

An 83-year-old grandfather was stabbed to death by a nanny who was babysitting his 3-year-old granddaughter, Michigan authorities say.

David Ong went to his daughter’s Royal Oak home Oct. 24 when he was contacted by her to check on his granddaughter, who was under the care of her nanny, 35-year-old Samantha Rae Booth, according to the Royal Oak Police Department.

But when Ong failed to update his daughter, she called her brother-in-law to check on them, police sad.

The brother-in-law entered the home, and police said he heard noises from the basement before witnessing a horrific scene downstairs.

“He encountered the nanny in a manic state covered in blood and his father-in-law lying on the floor with severe injuries,” investigators said. “He picked up the child and attempted to escape from the basement to call 911.”

As the man fled the home with the 3-year-old, authorities said he was chased by the nanny, who was armed with a screwdriver.

Police said he eventually found neighbors who let them inside their home and called 911.

“The nanny stopped chasing the man and the child and stripped of all her clothing and dropped the screwdriver,” police said. “She then ran from the arriving officers but was quickly apprehended.”

Booth, who police said was found with “blood on her hands,” reportedly admitted to the stabbing. She told officers, “I did it... God, it was too easy,” WDIV reported.

Police found Ong in the basement suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to a news release. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“She attacked the victim repeatedly with a screwdriver,” Royal Oak Police Chief Michael Moore told WDIV. “An absolutely horrific crime.”

Prosecutors said Booth knew the family for about two years and had previously cared for the toddler without any issues, according to WJBK.

A motive for the attack is unclear, but the nanny was found to be in possession of psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana, WJBK reported, citing the prosecutor’s office. It has not been determined if Booth was under the influence.

She was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, felonious assault and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, investigators said.

Booth was denied bond, with a judge saying she is “clearly a present danger to society,” according to WWJ.

“Mom in this case did what she was supposed to do. This person was allegedly trusted and known to this family and there was nothing in her appearance or background that mom knew about,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, according to WXYZ.

Police said the child and uncle had minor injuries and were treated at a hospital.

Daid Ong remembered as a ‘hero’

Kelley Ong Smith, one of the victim’s four adult children, said the 83-year-old died “while protecting his cherished 3-year-old granddaughter.”

“He was a hero on Friday. But to me, he’s always been my hero,” Ong Smith said.

Ong had been married for more than 60 years, and family was his favorite hobby, according to his obituary, which said he never missed a game, performance or life milestone from his kids.

“He was deeply caring, a true friend and a steady source of encouragement and support,” the obituary says. “He took joy in understanding everything about his children and grandchildren.”

Royal Oak is about a 15-mile drive northwest from downtown Detroit.

This story was originally published October 29, 2025 at 9:45 AM with the headline "‘Hero’ grandfather dies protecting 3-year-old from nanny attack, MI reports say."