Newly released police documents provide unsettling insights into the last weeks of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste’s life, indicating escalating abuse and several attempts to flee her living situation.
A detailed 36-page report from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office includes interviews with her father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anisia Woods, following Rebekah’s discovery on July 27. She was later pronounced dead three days after being taken to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Both Richard and Anisia now face charges of first-degree murder.
Investigators revealed that the family had been living off-grid in yurts, lacking basic utilities, at a rural site near Concho, Arizona. They slept on a thin mattress on the yurt floor and brought water from a convenience store located 15 miles away.
Anisia initially claimed that Rebekah became unresponsive only after a neighbor left. However, law enforcement noted that this was not the first time Rebekah attempted to escape; records indicate she had jumped from a window before and made several attempts since moving to Concho.
Despite Rebekah appearing increasingly weak—too frail to drink from a straw—Woods, who claimed to have nursing experience, insisted that “children are fine” and chose not to seek immediate medical attention.
When questioned, both Woods and Baptist denied knowing how Rebekah ended up in her condition, suggesting injuries could be from a fall. Yet, medical professionals uncovered extensive signs of abuse, including a brain hemorrhage, burn marks, and numerous cuts and bruises.
In a possible affidavit, a detective remarked that after viewing distressing images of Rebekah’s injuries, Richard showed a surprising lack of emotional response, which was concerning.
Later, Baptist admitted to striking Rebekah as punishment for trying to escape but denied that it caused her head injuries. Investigators also found bloodied clothes in their shared tent, which had been disposed of before contacting emergency services.
Emergency records show Woods made three 911 calls on July 27, during which she referred to Rebekah as her daughter and claimed she was giving rescue breaths. At one point, she noted they were driving to Holbrook, believing an EMS station was nearby.
When asked if CPR was being performed, Woods mentioned she was blowing into Rebekah’s mouth but hadn’t started chest compressions. The dispatcher directed her to place the child on solid ground, but Woods hesitated, unsure if she should lay Rebekah on the rocky ground.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after, but tragically, Rebekah did not survive.
Currently, both Woods and Baptist are facing charges of murder and child abuse related to Rebekah’s death, as well as potential abuse of her two younger brothers.
During an interview with investigators, Woods acknowledged the possibility of facing “prison time,” while Baptist expressed regret, stating he didn’t deserve to be a father.
Prosecutors assert that Rebekah endured continuous physical and sexual abuse.
Concerns for the family’s well-being had been raised numerous times by staff at Empower College Prep, where the children were enrolled. Reports indicate that school officials contacted the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) 13 times over two years, related to Rebekah’s unexplained absences.
DCS began reviewing whether they had adequately protected Rebekah.
A statement from DCS noted the deep impact on the community when a child is harmed, stressing their dedication to keeping children safe. They acknowledged that, despite robust protective systems, some individuals might evade detection.
Governor Katie Hobbs also acknowledged public concerns and committed to a thorough investigation. She stated, “This is clearly a tragic situation, and we are looking into what happened.” She emphasized a desire to examine the agency’s prior knowledge and actions surrounding Rebekah’s case, pledging to rectify any shortcomings.
Fox News Digital reached out for comments from Hobbs’ office and Empower College Prep but did not receive an immediate response.
