Kimberly Cole, the biological mother of 12-year-old Ryan “RJ” Davis, is set to appear in Caddo County District Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing conference on a stack of felony charges tied to what prosecutors describe as long-term abuse of her son. The proceeding marks the latest turn in a case that first drew wide attention after RJ vanished in early January and was later found alive. Court filings allege years of mistreatment, and the boy is now in state custody while investigators continue to sort through the evidence.
How RJ Was Found and Why the State Stepped In
RJ disappeared in January from a Chickasha home, prompting an intensive search that lasted about a week. Volunteers with the United Cajun Navy ultimately located him in Caddo County and turned him over to authorities, who took him for medical evaluation and placed him under state care. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation labeled the disappearance “suspicious.” As reported by KOCO, OSBI spokesperson Hunter McKee said the boy “will not go back to that property or to those parents.”
The Felony Case Cole Is Facing
Court records filed earlier this year show Cole is charged with multiple felonies, including child abuse, child sexual abuse, child neglect, crimes against nature, and one count of conspiracy. Reporting from KSWO outlines the charges prosecutors brought in January and notes that both Cole and RJ’s stepfather, George Cole Jr., were booked into the Caddo County jail.
George Cole Jr. faced separate charges but was later declared brain-dead and died after life-saving measures were withdrawn, following what authorities described as an apparent suicide attempt while he was in custody, according to local coverage cited in those reports.
Family Allegations and Ongoing Investigations
Relatives have told local outlets they believed something was very wrong at the family’s property and said they had seen what they considered signs of abuse. One family member reported seeing shackles on RJ and said she pushed law enforcement to get involved. That account was given to KOKH, which, along with other local stations, has reported that investigators from OSBI, local police, and county agencies coordinated on both the search and the follow-up probe.
For now, RJ remains in the care of state services while the criminal case and related child welfare reviews continue to unfold.
What the Preliminary Hearing Really Decides
A preliminary hearing is not a full trial and does not decide guilt or innocence. Instead, it is a procedural step where a judge weighs whether prosecutors have shown probable cause that crimes were committed and that the defendant is the one who committed them. Under Oklahoma practice, the defense can cross-examine witnesses at this stage, and if the judge finds probable cause, the case is “bound over” for trial in district court. Legal overviews of Oklahoma procedure and the relevant statutes explain that the hearing acts as a filter to determine whether the case moves forward.
The preliminary hearing conference in Caddo County is scheduled for July 2, 2026. If the judge concludes that probable cause exists, Cole’s case would advance to district court for arraignment and additional proceedings. Court filings and local coverage of what happens in Thursday’s hearing, including any new scheduling or evidence disclosures, will continue to be tracked by outlets such as KOKH.
