Police make arrest in Lake Ponca drowning

From the Ponca City Police Department

54 year old grandmother Esther Lee Montgomery aka Esther Bales was taken into custody this afternoon just before 2pm. Bales was arrested as a result of the drowning investigation conducted by the Ponca City Police Department which resulted in the death of her four year old granddaughter Haley M Primeaux last July. A warrant was also issued for her aunt Wanita Gale Jackson. Jackson is in custody as well. The warrants were issued today. Bond for Bales is set at $150,000. Bond is set for Jackson at 75,000. They are both charged with Murder in the second degree.

Haley, along with several other children, had been at the swim beach at Ponca Lake in the care of her aunt and grandmother. The 911 call was received at 6:37pm on July 27 by the Communications Center of the Ponca City Police Department. Bystanders at the swim beach administered CPR until ambulance personnel arrived.