How Could You? Hall of Shame-Gail Priest

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Ada, Oklahoma, foster parent, Gail Priest, who started a foundation [ 99+1, a Christ-based organization aimed to help foster children to help foster kids aging out of the system] was arrested in March 2025 on charges of child endangerment, child abuse, and neglect.

“The website says she was a foster parent for nearly 20 years before starting the foundation.”

“A statement from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services that handles foster care said, “Oklahoma Human Services takes very seriously our responsibility to protect the safety of Oklahoma’s children. Child welfare investigations are confidential by state and federal statutes, so Oklahoma Human Services is unable to publicly confirm an investigation or discuss a case with anyone who is not authorized by statute or permitted by an order of the court.”

Rosario Chico, a parent and an advocate for accountability within OKDHS, said someone needs to be held accountable for abuse and neglect.

“Whenever there’s no accountability for the agencies responsible for these children, I don’t think there’s going to be any change,” Chico said.

According to OSBI, this investigation started after it learned that Priest’s husband, Michael Priest, allegedly committed multiple acts of sexual assault towards a child. OSBI said Gail was aware of the abuse and failed to call the police.

“So we are putting these people in positions of public trust, and there just isn’t accountability,” Chico said.

She adds that there’s a pandemic in the state when it comes to agencies failing to protect children, and DHS needs to fix it.

“There’s so much DHS can do to help vet the workers they hire, the corporations, and organizations that they work with,” Chico said.

This is an ongoing investigation. If you have any information, contact OSBI.”

Foster care advocate arrested on charges of child abuse and neglect, OSBI investigates
[KTUL 3/14/25 by Tanya Modersitzki]

A Search of the Oklahoma court records shows that Gail has 3 counts of Child Abuse with a preliminary hearing on February 26, 2026.

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