Rebekah Baptiste: Murder charges after father, girlfriend allegedly torture and dump child on Arizona highway
WARNING GRAPHIC DETAILS.
In a tragic case of systemic abuse and apparent failure by authorities to protect a vulnerable child, a father and his girlfriend have been charged with murder after a young girl’s badly beaten body was found on the side of a US highway.
Arizona police are trying to piece together the final movements of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste after she was allegedly tortured until she was ”black and blue” before dying from a medical episode.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The child was found unresponsive by emergency services at the intersection of two highways on July 27, and despite efforts from hospital staff, passed away days later.
Police in Holbrook, Arizona and the Apache County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Ms Baptiste was transported to a medical facility where she died on July 30.
According to PEOPLE, her father, 32-year-old Richard Baptiste, and his 29-year-old girlfriend Anicia Woods were taken into custody soon after and charged with first-degree murder and child abuse, according to Apache County court records.
Police prosecutors told a court hearing on Monday, August 4, that they will allege Rebekah had been “tortured,” according to medical assessments, and was dehydrated and malnourished.
The child was reportedly missing her toenails, and her condition showed indications of “child physical abuse, sexual abuse and torture,” prosecutors added..
“She was black and blue from her head to toe,” Rebekah’s uncle Damon Hawkins told AZ Family.
“She had two black eyes, and they’re thinking the cause of death was because of a hemorrhage.”
AZ Family is also reporting that Rebekah’s school had been in constant contact with the local Department of Child Safety with concerns about her welfare but says no “meaningful action” was appears to have been taken.
The Child Safety department told AZ Family in a statement they are “actively collaborating with law enforcement in a joint investigation to ensure that the people responsible for this heinous act are brought to justice.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008 / Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au / Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.
