Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic descriptions.
Recently released police documents have provided new insights into the last weeks of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste’s life, uncovering disturbing allegations of increasing abuse and several attempts to escape her living conditions.
The 36-page report from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office details interviews with her father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, following the discovery of the child, who was found unresponsive on July 27.
Rebekah was later pronounced dead three days later at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Both adults are now facing charges of first-degree murder.
Detectives report that the family had been living off-grid in a rural campsite near Concho, Arizona, in a yurt without electricity or running water since moving from Phoenix earlier in July. The family slept on thin mattresses on the floor of the yurt and transported water in plastic jugs from a convenience store in Concho, 15 miles away.
An Arizona couple is now facing murder charges after a young girl was found unresponsive on a highway last month and passed away days later. (Apache County Sheriff’s Office)
Both Woods and Baptiste are currently facing murder and child abuse charges not only related to Rebekah’s death but also concerning the alleged mistreatment of her two younger siblings.
In interviews with investigators, Woods mentioned that her punishment could include “some jail time,” while Baptiste expressed regret, stating he did not deserve to be a father.
Prosecutors have alleged that Rebekah suffered ongoing physical and sexual abuse.
Concerns about the family’s wellbeing had been raised multiple times by staff at Empower College Prep, where the children were enrolled, 12News reported.
School officials reportedly contacted Arizona’s Department of Child Safety (DCS) 13 times over the past two years, including one report from a school resource officer who visited the family’s home following Rebekah’s unexplained absence.
DCS has since launched a review into whether the agency failed to adequately protect the child.
“Anytime a child in our community is harmed, it deeply affects us all, especially when we know the family,” a statement from DCS to Fox News Digital read. “Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all children, but tragically, those who intend to harm children can sometimes evade even the most robust systems designed to protect them.”
The department added that it will “continue to be transparent and release information related to this case” as well as their involvement with the family as they are legally permitted to do so.
Gov. Katie Hobbs has also acknowledged the growing public concern and pledged to fully investigate the case.
“First, let me say this is obviously a very tragic situation, and we are certainly looking into what happened,” Hobbs previously told 12News. “The information we had at the agency prior to this case and what led up to her death, we’re certainly going to be investigating, and if there was something that we did not do right, we will do everything we can to correct that. That is our job. It is our responsibility to ensure Arizonans are safe and we’ll fix what went wrong. If that’s the case.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Hobbs’ office and Empower College Prep for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
