Oklahoma jail workers face charges after using ‘Baby Shark’ song to punish inmates

The song 'Baby Shark' is known for its catchy melody and highly repetitive lyrics

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The two detention officers were subject to an internal investigation this summer when accusations first surfaced. They resigned during the course of that investigation. Their supervisor has also left his role after retiring.

According to written affidavits, Mr Miles said that he and Mr Butler “systematically worked together and used the … attorney booth as a means to discipline inmates and teach them a lesson because they felt that disciplinary action within the Detention Center was not working in correcting the behavior of the inmates.”

“Mr Butler also confirmed that he used the booth as a means of punishment. The playing of the music was said to be a joke between Mr Miles and Mr Butler.”

The treatment of the prisoners placed them under “undue emotional stress on the inmates who were most likely already suffering from physical stressors,” wrote investigators.

Mr Headershott reportedly learned of his subordinates behaviour on November 23 last year, but did nothing about it. The District attorney said he “failed to properly supervise and discipline.”

None of the defendants have commented on the case so far.

The extremely repetitive children’s song ‘Baby Shark’ has become a phenomenon since its release two years ago. The video in which it first appeared has been viewed online more than 6.5 billion times and peaked at number 6 in the UK charts.