Arizona child abuse tragedy prompts protection system review

A ten year old girl died after alleged abuse at the hands of her father and his girlfriend in Arizona, triggering scrutiny of child welfare reporting and record keeping.

Arizona child abuse tragedy prompts protection system review

Rebekah Baptiste, 10, from Holbrook, Arizona, died July 30 after sustaining severe injuries and malnutrition while in the care of her father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods. She was found unresponsive July 27 on a highway and transported to Little Colorado Medical Center, then to Phoenix Children's Hospital, where she died.

Police and prosecutors describe a case of persistent harm. They say Rebekah endured severe abuse and was malnourished, with injuries indicating a prolonged pattern of harm. Her father and Woods face charges including first degree murder and kidnapping, and her two younger brothers are in state custody. A newly released police report alleges horrendous living conditions, including a move to a rural tent and showers using cups, with punishment that included running laps. The case also highlights inconsistencies in how abuse reports were handled between Empower College Prep and the state child welfare agency, prompting questions about how calls are evaluated and records kept.

Highlights

The case renews attention on how communities protect vulnerable children and pushes for clearer action paths.