A former executive director of the Mary Abbott Children’s House in Norman was arrested on embezzlement charges.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest Monday.
During the investigation, OSBI special agents identified Harper, who led the Norman-based child advocacy organization, as the suspect.
A May 2025 audit of the Mary Abbott House uncovered the bulk of the alleged scheme. Investigators say that between 2022 and 2025, Harper embezzled the funds and used them for personal gain, drawing from multiple organization accounts that spanned several banks as well as Venmo and Amazon accounts, per the agency’s account.
What the Alleged Spending Covered
According to OSBI, the embezzled money went toward a wide range of personal expenses, including luggage fees, personal plane tickets and Airbnb stays. Investigators also allege the funds covered plastic surgery charges, Amazon purchases, Venmo purchases and fast-food restaurant visits.
The agency’s findings were compiled into an investigative report that OSBI special agents presented to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.
Grand Jury Indictment and Arrest
On October 8, a multi-county grand jury indicted Harper on seven counts of embezzlement, and the Cleveland County District Court issued an arrest warrant for her as a result. She turned herself in to the Cleveland County Jail two and a half weeks later on the $100,000 bond.
OSBI said it appreciated the continued assistance of the Norman Police Department and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office throughout the investigation. The agency emphasized that the embezzlement charges remain accusations and that Harper is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Charity oversight and a separate case
The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Charity Enforcement Unit says it reviews complaints and investigates potential wrongdoing involving charities and people responsible for charitable funds, including charity officers and directors, according to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Charity Enforcement Unit. In a separate case, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office said a Tulsa County jury convicted Jordan and Vanessa Parker on Sept. 30, 2025, of embezzling donations intended for addiction-recovery services at the Reckless Saints of Nowhere, which they operated in Pryor. The office said the donations were used for personal purchases. That case involved different people and an organization, and resulted in convictions rather than pending allegations, according to the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.
The Mary Abbott Children’s House is a Norman-based organization.
