Editor’s Note: The following story contains a graphic description.
Newly released police documents have brought to light the troubling circumstances surrounding the last weeks of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste’s life, highlighting serious allegations of abuse and several escape attempts from her living environment.
A report containing 36 pages from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office details an interview with Rebekah’s father, Richard Baptist, and his girlfriend, Anisia Woods, conducted after the child’s unresponsive state was discovered on July 27th.
Rebekah was later pronounced dead three days later at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and both adults are facing first-degree murder charges.
According to investigators, the family was living off-grid in yurts at a rural campsite near Concho, Arizona, lacking basic utilities like electricity and running water. They used a thin mattress to sleep on the yurt floor and fetched water from a convenience store located 15 miles away.
Woods initially claimed that Rebekah didn’t respond after her neighbor’s escape. However, authorities indicated that this was not the first time the child tried to flee. Records show that she had jumped out of a window in Phoenix and attempted to escape multiple times after their relocation to Concho.
Even as Rebekah visibly deteriorated, Woods, who claimed to have nursing experience, insisted she believed the child was “alright” and did not seek medical help promptly.
When questioned, both adults denied knowing the cause of the child’s critical condition, implying she might have been injured due to the fall.
However, medical evaluations revealed extensive physical abuse, including a brain hemorrhage, burn marks, missing toenails, and numerous cuts and bruises.
When shown “terrifying photos” of Rebekah’s injuries, Baptist reportedly did not react emotionally, according to detectives. One detective noted it was incomprehensible for a father not to notice such significant injuries on his child.
Baptist eventually confessed to having hit Rebekah as a punishment for her attempts to escape but denied any responsibility for head injuries. Investigators also found bloodied clothing in the family’s tent, which had been altered before contacting emergency services.
Fox News Digital reviewed three 911 calls made by Woods on July 27th. In one call, she referred to Rebekah as her daughter and claimed she was performing rescue breathing.
Woods informed the dispatcher they were heading towards Holbrook, where she believed an EMS station was located. The dispatcher advised her to try to keep the child calm for medical assistance.
When asked if CPR was underway, Woods indicated she was breathing into Rebekah’s mouth but had yet to compress her chest. Although advised to place the child on solid ground, Woods hesitated, unsure about lying her on the rough surface.
Emergency responders arrived soon after, but unfortunately, Rebekah could not be revived.
Both adults are currently facing charges of murder and child abuse concerning Rebekah’s death and alleged mistreatment of her two younger brothers.
In an interview, Woods acknowledged the potential for prison time due to her involvement, while Baptist expressed regret, stating he didn’t deserve to be a father.
Prosecutors allege that Rebekah had been subjected to ongoing physical and sexual abuse.
Concerns about the family’s well-being had been raised multiple times by staff at Empower College Prep, where the children were enrolled. Reports state that school officials contacted the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) 13 times over the past two years, especially noting unusual absences.
The DCS commenced a review to assess whether they had sufficiently protected the child.
“Whenever a child in our community is harmed, especially when we know them, it deeply impacts us all,” a statement from the DCS noted. They emphasized their commitment to child safety, although they acknowledged that some cases may evade detection by protective systems.
The department also expressed their intention to engage with family members as allowed by law to maintain transparency about the case.
Governor Katie Hobbs has recognized the growing public concern and is dedicated to thoroughly investigating the incident.
“This situation is undeniably tragic, and we are looking into what transpired,” Hobbs stated earlier. “We will investigate the information we held prior to this incident and determine what led to her tragic death. If there’s anything we’re doing wrong, we will do everything possible to correct it.”
