Apache County, Arizona – New police records reveal that a 10-year-old Arizona girl who later died from alleged abuse by her father and his girlfriend had run away from home months earlier to beg strangers for help, warning that she was being abused.
The child, Rebekah Baptiste, died on July 28, 2025, after being brought unresponsive to a rural medical facility in Apache County, authorities said. Her father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, are now charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and child molestation in connection with her death.
Police Say Death Was Caused by Non-Accidental Trauma
According to investigators, Rebekah was taken to a medical center on July 27, 2025, where doctors determined she had suffered non-accidental trauma. She died the following day. Baptiste and Woods were arrested one day after her death.
Both defendants have pleaded not guilty and are currently awaiting trial in Apache County.
October 2024 Report Shows Rebekah Tried to Escape Abuse
On December 30, 2025, the Phoenix Police Department released a previously undisclosed report from October 2024, shedding new light on efforts Rebekah made to seek help months before her death.
Court documents show that Baptiste and Woods told authorities Rebekah had “run away” multiple times. However, the newly released police report details a far more alarming incident.
On October 17, 2024, officers responded to a call from Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where Rebekah had been taken after fleeing her home and running to a gas station, according to the report.
Child Told Clerk She Was Being Abused
Police say Rebekah told a gas station clerk that she was being abused by her stepmother. When questioned by an officer, the child reported that Woods hit her on her hands and feet with a brush, according to the police report obtained by local media.
During a September 2025 court hearing, Kole Soderquist, an investigator with the Apache County Sheriff’s Office, testified that Rebekah had jumped out of a second-story window to escape the home.
Before reaching the gas station, she reportedly approached a homeless person and asked for help, Soderquist told the court.
Abuse Investigation Was Closed
When authorities questioned Baptiste and Woods about the child’s injuries in 2024, the couple allegedly claimed that Rebekah’s wounds were self-inflicted. Despite the child’s statements, the investigation into her abuse allegations was eventually closed, according to court records.
Teachers Had Raised Repeated Concerns
Prosecutors say Rebekah’s teachers had alerted authorities multiple times about possible abuse involving Rebekah and her two siblings.
According to court filings, all three children told teachers they were punished with “physical discipline of laps and planks” and were sometimes not fed. Educators also reported seeing visible marks, scratches, and bruises on the children.
Prosecutors allege that the two surviving children later changed their stories to protect Baptiste and Woods.
Prior Investigation Before Child’s Death
At the time of their arrests, Baptiste and Woods were already under investigation for a separate alleged incident in May 2025, authorities confirmed.
Both remain in custody as the case proceeds through the court system.
Conclusion
The newly released police report highlights multiple warning signs and missed opportunities to intervene before Rebekah’s death. Investigators say the case remains one of the most disturbing child abuse prosecutions in Apache County in recent years.
Baptiste and Woods face life-altering consequences if convicted, while the community continues to grapple with how repeated reports failed to prevent a child’s death.
If you or someone you know suspects child abuse, authorities urge contacting local law enforcement or child protective services immediately. Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below.
