10-Year-Old Found ‘Black and Blue’ on Highway with Toenails Removed
Share this @internewscast.com

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.

Authorities have taken into custody Richard Baptiste, 32, and his partner, Anicia Woods, 29. Both are charged with first-degree murder and child abuse.

During a court session on Monday, prosecutors revealed unsettling details, describing that the victim was discovered with her toenails removed and other indications of extreme mistreatment, AZ Family reports.

There were also signs of sexual assault, dehydration, and malnutrition, according to approximately 100 pages of medical documents corroborating the abuse evidence.

“Her entire body was covered in bruises. She had two black eyes, and it is believed that a hemorrhage may have caused her death,” Rebekah’s uncle Damon Hawkins shared with the media 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.

According to Jones, Rebekah and her two brothers were enrolled at the school until May. The children often appeared at school malnourished, thirsty, and with visible bruises. It was noted that they were reluctant to return home.

Richard Baptiste communicated to the school that the children wouldn’t be coming back for the next academic year, stating that the family intended to relocate 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.

[Feature Photo via Apache County SO]

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Turn in Morning TV: Glamorous Anchor Accused in Shocking Family Incident, Faces Psychological Assessment

Just after 7:40 a.m., Alyssa Castro and her boyfriend were sitting in…

Elementary Educator Faces Charges for Alleged Child Abuse Involving Her Own Children

A first-grade teacher in Tennessee, Heather Pecht, faces two charges of child…

AG Bondi Slams Brennan’s Legal Team Amidst Controversial Grand Jury Maneuver

Left: Former CIA Director John Brennan testifies before House Intelligence Committee in…

Heroic Act or Misunderstanding? The Shocking Tale of Mahendra’s Jail Time After Trying to Save a Toddler

For Mahendra “Mick” Patel, the year 2025 marked a dramatic upheaval in…

Reality TV Star Chad Ollinger Faces Serious Murder Charge

Chad Ollinger, known for his appearance on the Discovery Channel’s “Mystery at…

Police Allege Gang’s Planned ‘Public Place Shooting’ Foiled as Porsche Pursuit Concludes on Golf Course

Police allege they have foiled a plot to carry out a shooting…

Tennessee First-Grade Teacher Arrested for Long-Term Abuse of Her Own Children

A Tennessee teacher for first graders has been charged following accusations of…

Chaos Erupts: First Grade Teacher’s Phone Struggle Leads to Shocking Family Altercation

Background: Ruby Falls in Lookout Mountain, Tenn. (Google Maps). Inset: Heather Pecht…

Tragic Double Homicide: Ex-Texas Official and Wife Discovered Fatally Shot in Residence

In a tragic turn of events, a former city manager from McKinney,…

Top Lawyers Urge Boasberg to Investigate Alleged Trump DOJ’s Fraudulent Schemes to Evade Judicial Oversight

Inset left: Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg (U.S. District Court). Main:…

Tragic Incident in Atlanta: Police Officer Fatally Shoots Girlfriend Before Committing Suicide

6 p.m. update: The Fulton County Medical Examiner in Georgia has determined…

Man Changes Plea in Shocking Murder Case After Complaining About Disposal Difficulties

Share A man from Wisconsin has confessed to killing his girlfriend, admitting…