An Arizona man and woman have been charged with murder after police found a 10-year-old girl unresponsive on a Holbrook highway.
According to the Apache County Sheriff’s Office, Holbrook police discovered Rebekah Baptiste between Highway 77 and 180, near Arizona, last month.
Despite life-saving measures, she passed away days later, on July 30, at Phoenix Children’s hospital.
Police subsequently arrested her father, Richard Baptiste, 32, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, 29. They’re both facing first-degree murder and child abuse charges.
On Monday, prosecutors laid out disturbing details in court, explaining that the victim had been found with her toenails removed and signs of torture, AZ Family reports.
She also showed signs of sexual abuse, dehydration, and malnutrition, according to around 100 pages of medical reports that supported evidence of abuse.
“She was black and blue from her head to toe. She had two black eyes, and they’re thinking the cause of death was because of a hemorrhage,” Rebekah’s uncle Damon Hawkins told the outlet.
Prior to her death, Rebekah’s school, Empower College Prep, reportedly contacted the Department of Child Safety 12 times, according to ABC 15.
“My heart just breaks and aches for her,” Becky Jones, the school director, said.
Jones said Rebekah and her two brothers attended the school until May. The children often showed up to school hungry, dehydrated and with bruises. They reportedly didn’t want to go home.
Richard Baptiste informed the school that the children wouldn’t return for the upcoming school year, claiming that the family planned to move up north and live in a tent.
“We’ve had social workers concerned, students make statements that they were concerned about their classmate as well as teachers, administration, outside service providers that work with the students, all concerned that there was abuse and neglect happening at home toward all of the children,” Natalia Mariscal, the director of student services, added.
“There are so many points where an intervention could have happened.”
Both defendants are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 4. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo via Apache County SO]
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Author: Leigh Egan
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