Little Girl Found Lifeless in Desert After Years of Torture: Bodycam

They found her in the wash. >> Okay. She's been unresponsive. >> We didn't know where else to take her. There's There's no hospital near here. >> Newly released body cam footage offers a. chilling glimpse into the moments first. responders discovered 10-year-old. Rebecca Baptiste unresponsive in the. Arizona desert. her father, Richard. Baptiste, his girlfriend, Ania Woods, they now face first-degree murder.

charges as prosecutors alleged that. Rebecca endured years of severe abuse. and neglect, including physical. injuries, malnutrition, signs of sexual. abuse, making this scene even more. horrifying. We are going to break down. the footage that captures the tense, frantic attempts to save this little. girl's life and the harrowing. questioning of her parents as they. struggle to explain how she ended up in. the desert alive. one moment and. tragically gone the next. Welcome to. Sidebar presented by Law and Crime. I'm.

Jesse Weber. We are revisiting an incredibly. heartbreaking case that we have covered. here on Sidebar. If you followed us, you're going to remember this one. How. could you not? Earlier this month, we. shared the devastating story of. 10-year-old Rebecca Baptiste, a young. girl that prosecutors say suffered years. years of abuse and neglect before her. tragic death in July. And prosecutors. say this is all at the hands of her own.

caretakers. Her father, 32-year-old. Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, 29-year-old Ania Woods, are now facing. firstdegree murder charges after Rebecca. was found unresponsive near a highway in. Hullbrook, Arizona. Now, to recap, prosecutors allege that Rebecca was. severely dehydrated, malnourished, missing toenails, bore injuries that. they say were the result of physical. abuse, sexual abuse, prolonged torture. In fact, Law and Crime obtained a 33page.

incident report from the Navajo County. Sheriff's Office detailing law. enforcement's interactions with Richard. Baptist and Ania Woods along with. graphic documentation of the injuries. that prosecutors alleged stemmed from. sustained abuse. And we covered that. report in detail in a previous episode. If you want to check it out, if you want. to learn a little bit more, it's up on. Law and Crimes YouTube page. But back on. July 27th, Woods apparently made a. chilling 911 phone call. leading for. help as they rush this girl toward town.

And on the line with dispatchers, Woods. explained that the family lived in the. desert and was racing Rebecca into. Hullbrook. >> 911. What's the location of your. emergency? >> What's the location? We're on 80 headed towards Brook. It's. my daughter. She's with us. We live out. in the desert and we are calling the. whole trip to the EMS station. >> Investigators say that Rebecca had run.

away multiple times before that day and. this time a neighbor found her. unresponsive in the desert. >> She ran away for the third time in a. week in the desert. And when they when. the neighbor found her in the wash, she. was unresponsive completely. And by the. time she got back to the house, she was. barely green. So, I'm breathing for her. now. Unresponsive, unconscious, and unable to. breathe for herself. >> Is she breathing? [Applause]. >> I'm waiting for her.

>> What do you mean? >> I am putting my mouth around her and. breathing. >> Yes. >> Dispatchers, they urged Woods to pull. over and wait for EMS. I need you to. pull over so that I can page them out to. you and we can start CPR. >> Would it be easier if we just Is it. going to be better for me to keep going? >> I understand that. I need you to pull. over so I can have EMS. Me too.

>> And moments later, first responders met. the couple on the roadside. Wild story. Wild story. I know. This is one though. that we wanted to bring to you. This is. one we want to stay on top of. The. reason we can do this, the reason we can. do a deep dive into stories like this is. because of the amazing support we get. from our sponsor Morgan and Morgan. This. is America's largest injury law firm. This is a firm with over a thousand. attorneys. You know why they have so. many? Because they win a lot. They have. recovered over $25 billion for more than. 500,000 clients. In fact, in the past.

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forthepeople.com/lcsidebar. by clicking the link below or scanning. the QR code on screen. Now, newly released body cam video. obtained by Long Crime is giving us an. inside view at that tense encounter. Take a look. >> They found her in the wash and she's. been unresponsive. >> We didn't know where else to take her. There's There's no hospital near here.

I do need to warn you. She has. >> So, um, >> who's your parents. >> over here? >> Oh, sorry. Don't talk to them. >> I'm sorry. She's. She's been unresponsive since the. neighbor's murder. He said he found her. just laying in the wash. She's casing. How long ago? >> I don't know how long it took us to to. get here. Like maybe 30 minutes to get.

here. >> We live uh 20 m east of Petrified. Forest. >> And you guys didn't call the ambulance. >> I was I was calling and I the phone kept. dropping. I only I talked to a sheriff. >> There's no reception out there. >> It dropped. I told her we were headed. We're 20 miles east of the petrified. forest. She's three times a week at this time. Was by far the worst. I was trying to flag somebody down on. the side of the road. I thought it was. sheriff, but I don't know. I guess not.

180 beginning CPR. >> Copy those 42. [Applause].

[Applause]. [Applause].

LT, can you give me some gloves? >> Can you grab me some gloves, please? Or. you want to take over and I'll grab. some? First responders, they tried. desperately to revive this little girl. And they pressed Baptist and Woods for. answers, asking how long she had been. unconscious and why CPR hadn't started. sooner. >> How long has it been since she's been. responsive? >> We don't know. She ran away and they. found her in the the dirt. We only know.

for as long as that he got her on the. quad and gave her signs. >> Where were you guys at? 20. >> east of Petrified Forest and we're like. 20 20 minutes in. >> You're in Apache County. >> Yeah. Yeah, boys. I We just moved here. at the start of the month, so I'm still. kind of getting the. >> She was involved in an accident. >> No, she ran away. She's on medications. and she hasn't been she hasn't been on. these medications in about a month. because we've been moving. >> Okay. And.

>> Hold on a second. >> I'm sorry. [Music]. What happened, guys? >> Ran away. And. >> when they found her, this is how she. was. >> How long? >> We don't know. >> It's been at least 30 minutes. >> It took us like 30 minutes just to get.

here. >> Okay. Let's. Let's get her in our rig. >> I think she's been down a while though, but. we'll just work her in a rig. Yeah. >> I didn't know where else to take her. I. didn't know where the close place was. >> Like smack dab right between here. Poncho and um That's it. >> All right.

As first responders rush Rebecca to a. waiting truck for treatment, officers. then turn their focus on her father. They press Richard Baptiste about the. timeline, how neighbors found this girl. in the desert and why she was already. unresponsive when she was brought home. >> How long has it been since you found her. unresponsive? >> We don't know. The neighbor brought her. >> When When did a neighbor bring her? [Applause].

It's 11:48. It had to have been probably. close to 11. >> At least 30. >> At least 30. >> What's your neighbor's name? >> I don't know. I I just moved out here. Most of the people that Most of the. people that I know are relatives of my. my uncle who died, so I'm still getting. used to the people. >> Who's Whose child? Yeah, it's fine. >> Was that hers, too? >> No. No, that's my girlfriend.

>> Did you get her ID? >> No. >> Her name's Her name's Rebecca. >> I got to get her ID. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you. >> You guys might have been closer to. Koncho. >> We didn't know Koncho had facility that. would be able to get. >> Well, EMS would be closer. That's That's what I was hauling ass to. was the EMS center down there past um. past the overpass.

>> What's a good phone number for you? We start.

and she's been running away for the last. like 3 or 4 weeks since we've been here. >> Okay. >> She ran away this morning. We went out. and tried to find her and our neighbor. found her. >> What time this morning? >> We got up about 9:30. So, it would have. been close to 10:30. >> So you guys saw her the night before? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We were all We. all sleep in the same same building. >> Okay. >> And then So you said she ran around that. morning and you guys were trying to find. her. >> This morning? >> Yeah. This morning? Yeah. Yeah. This.

morning? Yeah. >> And you guys went out trying to find her. and then your neighbors found her. >> Neighbor found her. Yeah. >> Okay. What were they doing down there? How'd they find her? >> They were on quads. >> They were on their quads. Okay. And then. they brought her to you. >> Yeah. >> At your house. >> Yeah. Well, it's technically was my. great uncle's. She died recently, so we. moved in there. >> Okay. >> So, that's kind of how people know us up. there. >> Did she have any signs of life when she. brought when she got brought to you? >> She was almost basically like this. She. was slightly responsive. She was still. breathing on her own. >> What do you explain to me what you mean. responsive? >> Like she was just breathing on her own.

>> Breathing on her own, >> but that was about it. >> And then as we were driving this way, started seeing color change in her lips. and we were just hauling it. >> Okay. You said she. >> Yeah, she got that when she was in. Phoenix. >> Okay. She um she ran away. >> Do you guys take her to get treated for. it? >> Yes, she has a primary care and then she. also did a 7-day stay down in Phoenix. >> Okay. >> Not for not for that, but just for a. prior incident. >> Okay. And explain to me what you're.

going through. You said she's diagnosed. with what? Explain that to me. >> Um. >> Okay. Um, she's on three, she was on. three different medications before we. left. I can't believe it was a third one right. now. Um, but it's it's been a little bit. since she's been on her medication since. we moved up here. >> While paramedics worked on Rebecca, officers also turned their attention to. the other children. Sitting quietly in.

the back of a patrol vehicle, they. described to police what they saw that. morning. >> Hi guys. >> You guys doing okay? >> Yeah. Yeah. So, what happened today? >> Um, today she ran away. >> She ran away. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And then what happened? >> And then she came back home.

And when she came back home, how did. that.

So, did mom and dad bring her home? >> No. Well, one of our um neighbors from. there um they they saw them laying they. they saw her laying down on the ground. and then and then they brought her back. home. >> Oh, they brought they brought her home.

>> Okay. All right. What's your name? >> How do you spell it? What's your last name?

>> Okay. Like your dad? Okay. >> Do you know when you were born? And what's your name? >> Can you spell that?

And is your same last name? >> Okay. How old are you? >> Six. >> And as detectives continue their. questioning, they are pressing these. adults on her care, on her schooling, her history of running away. Both. Richard Baptiste and Ania Woods, they. described these past incidents, including times that the 10-year-old had. even apparently jumped from windows to.

escape. >> How old she's 10. Where' she go to school? >> Uh, we haven't set that up yet. No. school yet? >> No, we were trying to get her either. into concho. >> Who's your Who's your primary care? >> Um, so I just had him switched over to. >> How long ago? >> Um, that was about two weeks ago. But. her former one, his name is. >> Hang on just a second. Who did she see.

over. >> Was she I'm sorry. What? >> Where was she? Who has she seen? >> Do you know the doctor's name? >> She She hasn't They haven't had their. None of them have their initial. appointment. >> They haven't been in there yet. So, who's the last doctor she's seen and. been treated by? >> Spell that. >> I'm going to need a number for him. anyway. So, >> yeah. Let me look it up. >> All right, ma'am. So, walk me through. what happened today. >> We were outside starting the morning.

before I can get waters in the the. bottles. She went running off again. >> Okay. You saw her run off? >> No, she disappeared. She We have them. play in the yard and. >> she was supposed to start She was. supposed to go stand in the shade and go. wait for me because that's where we've. been keeping her to be outside cuz she. can't she can't be trusted in the. building because she gets there. There's. knives, there's weapons, there's. everything. >> So, I had her standing outside. I turned. around to go grab waters for bottles and. she was gone. >> Okay. Um was she complaining of any. pain, any sickness, anything like that?

She's been she's been complaining of a. headache. >> A headache. Ever since she ran away the. first day, she's been complaining of a. headache. >> Okay. She's been This is frequently. running away lately. >> Yes, it's been it's three times in less. than two weeks. >> She actually ran away a week before we. moved out here. So, >> yeah, she actually jumped out the. window. I was telling the other officer. over there in the the beige that she. just before we came up here, she I. didn't tell him about the what he was. bringing up. My dad brought up she just. ran away before we came up here. That. one was super scary. She jumped. She.

kicked out a screen and jumped out clear. the second store window a week before we. moved here. >> Last week of June. >> So it sounds like there's been a history. of behavioral issues. >> Yes. He was asking me if she had a. history. She's had this long history of. running away. >> Okay. >> So. I don't know exactly where. Do you know. where they're going? Cuz you. >> LCMC. >> Little Colorado Medical Center in. Winsow. >> Will one of you guys be able to to like. uh we follow someone that way? We don't. know. >> I can just Google it. hide it. >> Yeah, it's I'll I'll get you the.

address. >> All right. We're not We're not from this. area. >> They go to LCMC. >> most likely. Unless they're Well, they. got a pulse. >> Did they? >> I noticed when when he had handed her to. us that that bulge in her chest and that. was making me afraid of I didn't even. think to start CPR. I just thought, let. me keep breathing for her and let's just. go. >> Okay.

But um I was telling that officer she. has a long history of no like physical. health conditions but it's mental health. for like the last three years. Has. >> she been seeing a provider for her. mental health? >> We took her to Teros. She was seeing a. psychiatrist there that put her on. medications. Teros. T E R R O S. >> Who's the doctor? Um it was. starts with a K, but it's Yes, ma'am. >> with a K. Last name is K.

>> K. >> Yes. >> And then where was that? >> Um, it's in Phoenix. So, there's. multiple offices, but it's one off of. what was that other street, babe? >> How long did she see them? >> She's been seeing them for like two and. a half years. Since we first had an. incident, we basically took her there. >> And here's the thing. As the questioning. continues, officers learn this isn't the. first time state agencies have been. involved. The parents admit that this. little girl had prior DCS cases, including time spent on a psychiatric.

hold, and that custody had only recently. been returned. >> So, they're going to Colorado Medical. Center. I think it's like 1520. Williamson um in Winslow right now until. they can get a medical airback. And if. she gets airbag, they'll probably take. her to Flagstaff and then Flag. Flagstaff, they may or may not take her. down to Phoenix. for Phoenix Children's. >> Yeah. So you I would just um follow up. with the hospitals. That'll be the.

fastest route to figure that out. >> And that that's where I was telling you. I told him the first time that you she. ran away, she was taken over to Phoenix. Children's Hospital and ended up she. ended up on a 7-day hold, a psychiatric. hold. Um, she has a long history with. running to DCS and making up stories of. her brothers. >> So, there has been DCS cases before. >> Yeah, they were. >> I just got them back from the state. >> Okay. Who is your case worker? >> No, there is none now. >> What? Who was? >> Uh, there was multiple. The last one was.

>> transferred to a different division. >> When was the last time you had contact. with them? >> We The case was closed May and May of. this year. >> May of last year. >> Last year. That's when we got our. youngest back. >> Okay. >> And that's when the official case was. closed. Her case was closed about a year. before that. >> Okay. >> But she still while his case was open, DCS kept having new cases open because. Rebecca would go to school. Okay. And. had all these different allegations. And. what what was becoming alarming to not.

only her therapist, but to the DCS. workers was that she started having. markings like she was she had bruises on. her hands and her arms. and they took. pictures. I thought Rebecca had told her. that we had done it and it was her way. to try to get taken out. The first time. she ran away, she told us that she. didn't want to live here. She was just. trying to leave. But we explained to. her, everyone explained to her the. dangers that come with this. She did she. ran away like 3 days after that and then. now this. But she's been complaining of. headaches since the first day and.

basically dehydrated ever since the. first day. I was telling him her mouth. has been really bad since the first day. >> Okay, I need to talk with him real. quick. So, who's the biological mother? >> Um, her name is Sandy Hawkins. >> Spell that. >> S A N D I. And then Hawkins is H A W K I. N S. >> H A W K. What? >> I N S. >> Okay. Where'd she live? >> No idea. She's.

She's a drug addict. >> Okay. Where's the last place you know of. her being? Um, she was in Phoenix and it. was some apartment complex off of. I don't even remember the name of it. >> Has she been in the little girl's life. at any point visiting anything like. that? >> She stopped coming to visits. >> like two about two and a half three. years ago. >> Yes. >> Do you have a number for her? >> No. >> Is there a way to get a hold of her? >> I would assume Facebook Messenger. I.

just I don't have contact with her to. secure. >> Do you know her date of birth by any. chance? >> I'm sorry. What? Do you know Sy's date. of birth? >> How long has it been since mom's been. involved? You said. >> two and a half years. >> Two years. >> Two and a half, maybe three. >> How does Do you have full custody? How's. that go? >> So, I just got the kids back and I've. been working on getting full custody. >> Okay. So, you guys between you and her, you have shared right now? >> Only uh through whatever legal legal. standpoint that is. >> Okay.

I just don't have. >> Yeah. Her mom her mom was coming to. visits. Hi, and DCS basically told us. don't. don't do visits if she's going to be. like that. We'll take care of them. And. she never did them. >> And then she never showed up to any. courts, never did drug testing, never. did anything. So, I just like let. bygones be tons. >> Okay.

Well, technically you're not. we don't ever. tried calling you guys from. >> um that's good phone number. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I called. them to be calling me back and then uh. I'll give your information stuff like. that. >> Where we live there, the reception is. really terrible. So text is a good. followup. >> Okay. Is there like email my email?

>> Just cuz I don't know out here. Is this. really the only way? Like it's just call. 911 and hope that the signal keeps going. cuz we just kept losing the call the. whole way up here. >> Well, you should probably when you get. back home or something like that, just. look at what's closer. >> Um, not necessarily. I mean, you could have. called, you know, way out there. EMS. could have met you way out there um on. the way. >> We were trying to call. >> stuff like that. And I understand you. guys do what you can. Okay. But um but.

we'll let you guys get out of here and. get to the hospital. Okay. >> So, let's go the little Colorado Medical. Center if you want to look it up on your. phone. >> Okay. >> So, let's just get there safely. Okay. Seat belts and. >> Well, just try and get there for your. daughter. Okay. >> Drive safe. Now, in the end, medical. professionals determined that. 10-year-old Rebecca Baptiste suffered.

catastrophic brain damage from bleeding. and swelling, no detectable brain. activity. She was placed on life support. until she died on July 30th. Following. the investigation, Woods Baptiste, they. now face murder and child abuse charges. in connection with Rebecca's death, and. they're scheduled for a preliminary. hearing on September 4th in Apache. County. It's all we have for you right. now here on Sidebar, everybody. Thank. you so much for joining us and as. always, please subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, wherever you. should get your podcasts. I'm Jesse.

Weber. I'll speak to you next time. [Music].