Re: Zahra Baker -- Found Deceased 11/10/10 -- Elisa Baker Pleads Guilty To Second-Degree Murder

by bdfmom Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:02 pm

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13862219

briefcase found may contain items in Zahra Baker case.

by bdfmom Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:04 pm

Elisa Baker indicted on bigamy charges

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/01/18/1989873/elisa-baker-indicted-on-bigamy.html

by bdfmom Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:04 pm

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Loggers-find-items-related-to-Zahra-Baker-case-114150349.html

Loggers find items related to Zahra Baker case

by Piper Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:55 pm

Thanks bdfmom! Bigamy!

by bdfmom Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:43 pm

http://charlotte.news14.com/content/top_stories/635567/elisa-baker-s-ex-denies-role-in-zahra-s-death

by FystyAngel Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:20 am

Poor Zahra. I hope she gets justice. Zahra Baker -- Found Deceased 11/10/10 -- Elisa Baker Pleads Guilty To Second-Degree Murder - Page 10 643974

by khintx Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:51 am

This story just breaks my heart. kh

by bdfmom Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:35 am

Sad thing is as soon as I start thinking this cant get any worse or any stranger it does. I dont understand how everyone in this poor babys life could be so messed up. Where are the normal law abiding people???? I just don tunderstand.

by FystyAngel Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:22 pm

bdfmom.....I just don't understand either. NO CHARGES on anyone yet???? Why??? It just breaks my heart that this little girl was a SURVIVOR and yet, she's gone, NOT to illness, but someone elses hand.

by bdfmom Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:37 pm

I agree 100% Fystyangel. Im hoping no charges means they are making sure they have everything tied up to get stiff penaltys in place. Im afraid this is going to be alot bigger than I can imagine by the time its all said and done. I will patiently wait for charges with hope No rock will be left unturned.

Im so curious about what will come out in this. I think more people are involved than meets the eye. I just have a hard time wrapping my mind around the cruelty of the whole thing. How anyone could look at any child and want to hurt, kill, and dismember them is beyond my realm of thinking. I hope for harsh justice in this case although I dont think its humanly possible for fair justice here.

by sitemama Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:14 pm

With no more than they found, I don't think they will ever be able to prove HOW Zahra died. Therefore, I don't think anyone will be charged with murder. Since she was not taken back to the doctor for over a year, the cancer could have come back and killed her. However, both can be charged with Voluntary Manslaughter for not getting her checked every month. They can be charged with desecrating a human body. But the only evidence they have is what has come from Elisa's mouth, blaming everything on Adam. The Hickory Police Chief and the DA are working real hard on this case and are interviewing lots and lots of people. I have great respect for both these men and I'm sure they are doing everything humanly possible to put an end to this case. I'm just afraid it's not going to be as severe as I would like.

by bdfmom Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:20 pm

Elisa Baker is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in District Court in Newton. The 42-year-old is currently jailed on charges of obstructing the investigation into her stepdaughter's disappearance last fall.

http://www.wxii12.com/news/26570021/detail.html

by bdfmom Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:20 pm

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13880695

Work begins on Zahra memorial

CALDWELL COUNTY,NC (WBTV) – Ground was broken Thursday for a permanent memorial to Zahra Baker, the ten year old girl who was reported missing from Hickory in October, then found dismembered in Caldwell County.

A makeshift memorial has been at the spot on Christie Road in Caldwell County ever since the victim's prosthetic leg and a bone were found nearby.

"This concrete memorial will be something for people to visit for a long time, " said landowner Jake Icenhour.

"It will be here as long as I'm alive, I can assure you of that."

Icenhour and several others were building forms for the concrete that will be poured at the site in the next week or two.

by bdfmom Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:21 pm

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13884076

Elisa Baker, who lead authorities to the dismembered body of 10-year-old Zahra Baker, was hit with another worthless check charge this week.

This week's worthless check charge has a $500 bond, which now brings the total bond for Elisa Baker in the Catawba County Jail to $96,700.

by Piper Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:37 pm

At least they keep piling other charges on this witch!

by Piper Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:42 pm

I love the memorial idea. Zahra should be riding her bike in Australia enjoying the sunshine with that pretty smile beaming........... Sad

by bdfmom Tue Jan 25, 2011 7:28 pm

The document fails to shed much light on the mystery surrounding the 10-year-old girl’s death and dismemberment.

The death certificate lists the manner of death as “Pending.” Time of death: “Unknown.”

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2...ers-ar-725128/

by sitemama Tue Jan 25, 2011 8:01 pm

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2011/jan/25/zahras-death-certificate-offers-few-answers-ar-725128/

I couldn't get the link in bdfmom's post to work. Hopefully this one will work better.

by bdfmom Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:39 am

Zahra Baker case turned over to district attorney's office

The district attorney’s office is reviewing more than 11,000 pages of the Hickory Police Department’s investigation into the death of Zahra Clare Baker.

The police department turned its investigative file over to the district attorney’s office late Wednesday afternoon, said Eric Farr, spokesman for the district attorney’s office.

“What we’ve done is sent everything in an organized fashion that we have to make a decision on charges,” said Maj. Clyde Deal with the Hickory Police Department, and one of the lead investigators in the case.

“I’ve been with the Hickory Police Department for almost 26 years, and I don’t recall any case file being this large,” Deal said. “It’s the biggest case I’ve worked on.”

The case file the police department submitted to the district attorney’s office fills two five-inch notebooks, and includes 117 DVDs of interviews and 65 DVDs with phone records and photos, Deal said. There are 11,000 pages on discs, and that doesn’t include what the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation will submit.

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2...-of-ar-741995/

by bdfmom Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:40 am

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13942017

Zahra investigative file contains 30,000 pages, 117 DVDs

The file is "probably the largest I can remember," said Hickory Police Major Clyde Deal. The file details everything that local investigators found, tested, and sent off. There are 117 DVD's with recorded interviews, some involving stepmother Elisa baker and Zahra's father Adam.

There are also 65 cd's with maps, photographs and other documents. In addition to all that is a cd with 11 thousand pages of information. The District Attorney's Office says it is still waiting for the file from the State Bureau of Investigations.

Many of the interviews will have to be transcribed, and everything else will have to be printed. Officials say it could bring the total page count to 30,000. The state is being asked to help in the matter and the files may be taken to Raleigh to be uploaded into a state server and printed.

by bdfmom Wed Feb 02, 2011 8:24 pm

Elisa Baker could be out of jail by Spring

The stepmother of Zahra Baker remains behind jail in Catawba County, but that could change this spring if no new charges are filed against her.

Baker was arrested on October 10 and faces various traffic and other misdemeanor charges that usually do not result in active jail time.

By the time her next court date arrives in April, Baker will have already spent six months behind bars awaiting trial.

"She will already have maxed out her sentence on the Obstruction charge even before she's tried for it," said her defense attorney Scott Reilly on Wednesday. "You can't keep someone in jail for more than the maximum sentence she would get even if she were found guilty

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13958414

by bdfmom Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:53 pm

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/AP-Exclusive-Zahras-stepmother-married-7-times-115178114.html

by bdfmom Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:54 pm

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=13964441&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Elisa Baker had an uncanny ability to stay ahead of bill collectors, police, social workers and her multiple husbands, The Associated Press discovered in an investigation of the woman who led authorities to the dismembered remains of her disabled, 10-year-old stepdaughter.

Few saw her pattern because when she abandoned a relationship, she usually severed all ties. In seven years, she had no fewer than 42 different addresses. During a different three-year stretch, she was married to three men at the same time.

Elisas ex past husbands speak out!!!

by bdfmom Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:16 pm

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2011/feb/03/autopsy-not-complete-zahra-baker-case-ar-752246/

by bdfmom Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:17 pm

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2011/feb/03/check-charge-dropped-against-zahras-stepmom-ar-752257/

by Justice4all Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:02 pm

Zahra's dad talks on TV

Rachel Browne
February 20, 2011

THE Australian father of slain 10-year-old Zahra Baker reveals his side of the story for the first time, denying he was involved in his daughter's death, in an interview with 60 Minutes to air tonight.

Speaking to reporter Liz Hayes, Adam Baker refutes his wife Elisa Baker's claim that he dismembered his daughter's body.

"That's the biggest lie she's ever told," he said.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/zahras-dad-talks-on-tv-20110219-1b0jo.html

This interview will air on the Australian version of 60 Minutes. The show's website says "there will be no video or transcript available due to ongoing legal proceedings in the US."

by Sherry Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:44 pm

From the link provided by Justice4All~

"Mr Baker revealed he feared his wife, whom he calls Lisa, was hurting Zahra after he noticed she had a black eye. "I asked both Lisa and Zahra how that happened. Lisa started out saying Zahra slipped in the bathroom, hitting her head on the cabinet. Zahra backed that up. I think she was told to; she was scared."

I think he was scared of her, too, but he should have left her pronto.

by Justice4all Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:52 pm

Here is the link to the 60 Minutes video.

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/the-zahra-baker-mystery/x3ydihu

by Sherry Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:48 pm

Thank you, J4A!

Embarassed

Oooops! The link is the wrong one?

by Justice4all Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:59 pm

It was working earlier. It looks like they took it down. I'll try to find another link that works.

by Justice4all Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:18 am

Here is a Youtube video of the segment. Hopefully it doesn't get taken down.

by Sherry Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:31 am

You da man, J4A! Zahra Baker -- Found Deceased 11/10/10 -- Elisa Baker Pleads Guilty To Second-Degree Murder - Page 10 88030

Why can't Adam Baker admit he failed his daughter, if even to say he sees that now in hindsight? I could sympathize with him if he did that much. Its hard to believe he didn't know what was going on.

by Piper Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:55 am

Thank you, J4A. I liked that reporter, she didn't skirt around the issue at hand and asked good questions. It's difficult for me to think Adam wasn't aware of how badly Zahra was treated.

by linden Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:02 pm

I was hoping when she asked if he was guilty of anything, that he would at the very least say that he was guilty of placing Zarah in danger and not protecting her. The very least. But nope, he says he isn't guilty of anything. Indeed.

by Sherry Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:41 pm

Stepmother indicted on charge of second degree murder
http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20110221/US.Disabled.Girl.Killed/
HICKORY, N.C. — The stepmother of a 10-year-old disabled girl was indicted Monday on charges she killed the freckle-faced child and then desecrated her remains to cover up the slaying, according to court documents.

A grand jury in Catawba County charged Elisa Baker with second-degree murder in the death of Zahra Baker. Authorities planned to discuss the case at a news conference later in the day.

Zahra, who used a prosthetic leg and hearing aids after being stricken with cancer, disappeared four months ago. No one had been charged in her death, though Elisa Baker had been charged with obstructing justice in the investigation. Police eventually found the girl's remains in different locations around western North Carolina. Authorities still have not said how the girl died.

The indictment cites aggravating factors, saying Elisa Baker had a history of physically, verbally and psychologically abusing Zahra. And it says she desecrated Zahra's body to hinder detection and prosecution of the killing.

by FystyAngel Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:10 pm

I'm glad that the stepmom has finally been charged BUT I don't understand how her father can live with himself....knowing how his beautiful daughter was treated by HIS WIFE! IMO...Zahra's death is just as much HIS fault! Poor Zahra....R.I.P. Zahra Baker -- Found Deceased 11/10/10 -- Elisa Baker Pleads Guilty To Second-Degree Murder - Page 10 643974

by Piper Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:18 pm

Breaking news.............

Elisa Baker charged with 2nd-degree murder

Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 / Updated: Monday, Feb. 21, 2011 04:46 PM

Elisa Baker was charged today with second-degree murder in the death of her stepdaughter, Zahra Baker -- the first charges filed in connection with the death of the cancer survivor who was first reported missing last Fall.

Also Monday, social service agencies in Catawba and Caldwell Counties revealed that they had investigated the Bakers a total of four times after receiving reports that Zahra was being mistreated.

A grand jury returned the second-degree murder indictment at noon against Elisa Baker, and Hickory police called a news conference to announce the charges.

"The members of "Team Zahra" have been working toward this milestone in this case since the first words spoken on the 911 call made on October 9, 2010." said Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins. "There has not been a day gone by without members of our team thinking about Zahra or this case."

Zahra's father, Adam Baker, said he was grateful. In court documents, Elisa Baker claimed that Adam Baker dismembered Zahra.

"I'm extremely grateful that Hickory Police and everybody else has taken their time, gone through everything properly and come to the conclusion that they should have come to," Adam Baker told WBTV Monday afternoon.

He later said "I had no involvement with Zahra's death or dismemberment."

During Monday's press conference, Caldwell District Attorney Jay Gaither said "at this time, the state has no credible evidence to suggest that anyone other than Elisa baker was involved in the murder. ..."

Read more:

http://www.heraldonline.com/2011/02/21/2851440/elisa-baker-indicted-on-2nd-degree.html

by Julie Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:21 pm

Thanks Piper!

by Piper Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:26 pm

Jay Gaither, district attorney representing Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties made the announcement of the indictment that was filed at 12 p.m. Monday.

Here are the details:

• Second-degree murder charge for Elisa Baker.

• The indictment states that Elisa Baker had a history of and pattern of physical, verbal and psychological abuse against Zahra.

• It also states that Elisa hid the victim from family members and desecrated Zahra's body to hinder detection, investigation and prosecution of the offense.

• The indictment further states that the victim, Zahra Baker, was young and physically impaired, which refers to her prosthetic leg and hearing aids.

• Autopsy reports states Zahra's body was dismembered. Report reads "cut/tool mark injuries identified on the partial skeletal remains."

• Exact cause of death listed as "undetermined homicidal violence"

• Based on their findings, Gaither said there is no credible evidence to suggest anyone other than Elisa Baker was involved in death of Zahra.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/26939338/detail.html

by Piper Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:29 pm

Zahra's autopsy report: REPORT OF AUTOPSY EXAMINATION

http://www.wsoctv.com/download/2011/0221/26942994.pdf

by Sherry Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:31 pm

There were four investigations into the family due to alleged abuse of Zahra and Adam Baker acts as if he didn't know there was a problem?

by Piper Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:34 pm

Slideshow..Indictment papers on Elisa Baker

http://www.wsoctv.com/slideshow/news/26940507/detail.html

by Piper Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:38 pm

Adam Baker Feels Vindication After Elisa Baker Charged

Posted: 7:03 pm EST February 21, 2011
Updated: 7:14 pm EST February 21, 2011

HICKORY, N.C. -- Attorney Mark Killian said his client is vindicated after Hickory police announced second-degree murder charges against Elisa Baker -- and no charges against Adam Baker.

Killian said Baker was relieved when he heard about the charges and said Baker has maintained throughout the investigation that he wasn't involved at all.

When asked how much his client knew about Elisa Baker's alleged involvement in Zahra's disappearance, Killian said, "I don't think he knows a 100 percent of anything."

"Like I said, he worked long hours around the time this was going on," Killian added. "There's still some questions he's got in his mind that we want answered."

Read more, view video:

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/26945014/detail.html

by Sherry Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:43 pm

Wow. I thought they found the skull. I guess not.

by Piper Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:46 pm

Piper wrote:It stirred me as well....I am hurting over this child. I made a little video tonight, for Zahra. Rest in peace, sweet little girl.