Arizona 10-Year-Old’s Tragic Death Sparks Charges Against Father and Girlfriend
Newly released documents from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office have uncovered a harrowing account of the final weeks of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste’s life, which ended in her tragic death in July. The 36-page report includes interviews with her father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, who have now been charged with first-degree murder.
Rebekah was discovered unresponsive on July 27 and later pronounced dead at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The family had been living off-grid in a rural campsite near Concho, Arizona, in a yurt without electricity or running water. They relied on a convenience store 15 miles away for water and slept on thin mattresses on the yurt floor.
According to the police report, Rebekah had previously made several escape attempts, including jumping out of a window in Phoenix, and her final escape occurred on the day she was taken to the hospital. Despite her visible deterioration, Woods, who claimed to have a nursing background, allegedly believed the child would recover and delayed seeking medical care.
Medical examinations revealed extensive signs of abuse, including a brain hemorrhage, burns, missing toenails, and numerous bruises. Detective comments noted a lack of emotional response from Baptiste upon viewing photos of his daughter’s injuries. Police also found bloody clothing in the family campsite, which had been changed before emergency services were called.
Detectives reviewed three 911 calls made by Woods on July 27, during which she described providing rescue breaths but failed to administer CPR correctly. Emergency crews arrived after a dispatcher instructed her to pull over for medical assistance, but Rebekah did not survive.
Both Woods and Baptiste now face charges of murder, child abuse, and neglect related to Rebekah and her younger siblings. School officials had previously reported concerns about the family’s wellbeing to Arizona’s Department of Child Safety, prompting an internal review. Governor Katie Hobbs has acknowledged the public concern and pledged to investigate the case thoroughly.