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Judge Denies Second Recusal Motion in Perry Child Abuse Case

Perry Public Schools

An Oklahoma judge won't recuse himself from a Perry school child abuse case for a second time, even though his daughter-in-law worked with the defendants.

The Oklahoman reports that Noble County Judge Nikki G. Leach denied District Attorney Brian Hermanson's request to remove himself at a hearing Wednesday for former Upper Elementary School principal Kenda Miller.

Leach previously denied a similar motion for former math teacher Jeffrey Sullins.

Miller and Sullins are charged with misdemeanors for allegedly failing to promptly report child abuse after several girls levied accusations against teaching assistant Arnold Cowen. Cowen is now facing 18 counts of lewd or indecent proposals or acts on a child.

Prosecutors say Cowen "directly recruited" Leach's daughter-in-law to volunteer at the school, and that the judge has shown bias to Sullins.

Leach recused himself from Cowen's case.