HOLBROOK, AZ. (KPHO/Gray News) – A 10-year-old girl died after she was ‘tortured’ by her father and his longtime girlfriend, according to officials.
Rebekah Baptiste was found with “severe injuries” and unresponsive in Holbrook on July 27.
She died three days later in the hospital.
Prosecutors said they had extensive documentation from doctors, detailing the abuse. They said Rebekah was malnourished and dehydrated, with one doctor using the word “torture” to describe what happened to her.
Damon Hawkins, Rebekah’s uncle, said he feels a broken system played a part in his niece’s brutal murder. “She spent the last four days in the hospital by herself and the only thing DCS can say is, ‘I’m sorry you weren’t informed,’” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said he can’t begin to imagine what she went through. “She was black and blue from her head to toe. She had two black eyes, and they’re thinking the cause of death was because of a hemorrhage,” Hawkins said.
During a court hearing Monday morning, prosecutors said Rebekah was missing toenails, had bruises all over her body, and had been starved. “
Rebekah’s father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death.
Authorities amended their indictment, charging the couple with child abuse for how they treated Rebekah’s two younger brothers.
Baptiste and Woods are being held on a $1 million bond. In court, the defense said the two boys are in DCS custody.
KPHO also spoke with Empower College Prep, which confirmed all three children attended school there until May.
Empower College prep said their staff had reached out to the Department of Child Safety 12 separate times.
They said that despite their efforts, it didn’t appear any action was taken.