Metro Counselor Accused Of Assaulting Juvenile Patients

A counselor is accused of assaulting his juvenile patients.

Cleveland County Prosecutors filed charges against 51-year-old David Wayne Cunningham early Friday morning.

Cunningham is accused of striking two juveniles with a wooden paddle and leather belt several times. According to court records, the juveniles were attending court ordered counseling sessions at a private residence with Cunningham.

In April 2013, Cunningham allegedly threatened one of his patients by saying he could either be paddled or be turned into the Judge in Canadian County for minor violations of his probation.

Investigators say, in January 2015, Cunningham spanked another juvenile patient with a wooden paddle, but the incident was not in response to a probation violation.

Court records show Cunningham told the victim that he needed to know what would happen if he violated his probation.

In both cases, the counseling sessions were court ordered and the juveniles were referred by the Canadian County juvenile services to 21Days2Change.

According to records, Cunningham was licensed by the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselors. At the time of the incidents, investigators say he was contracted through 21Days2Change.

At last check, Cunningham has not been arrested.