Body-worn camera footage released in Apache County 10-year-old’s murder

APACHE COUNTY, Ariz. — Authorities released body-worn camera footage of the moment police were called to an intersection for an unresponsive 10-year-old. The girl, Rebekah Baptiste, died three days later, and her father and his girlfriend are now facing murder charges related to her death.

On July 27, the Apache County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to the intersection of State Route 77 and U.S. Route 180 in Holbrook after reports of an unresponsive child.

Rebekah was initially transported to the Little Colorado Medical Center for treatment, but was then flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She died on July 30.

Richard Daniel Baptiste, 32, and Anicia Woods, 29, were arrested following the girl’s death. Prosecutors said Rebekah was abused and tortured.

Baptiste and Woods are facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse.

The Holbrook Police Department shared the footage with 12News on Aug. 15, two weeks after Rebekah’s death. 

In one of the body-worn camera videos shared with 12News, a Holbrook officer can be seen responding to the scene. Another officer is on the ground at the side of the highway and appears to be giving Rebekah Baptiste chest compressions. 

In the video, the officer giving Rebekah chest compressions asks Woods how long it has been since Rebekah has been responsive. 

“We don’t know, she ran away and they found her in the dirt,” Woods said. 

Woods also said Rebekah is on medication, but has not been taking the medication for about a month while the family was moving.

Baptiste told the officer in the footage that Rebekah has been running away for the past three to four weeks. Baptiste claims Rebekah ran away the morning of July 27 and was found by neighbors, who then brought Rebekah home around 10:30 a.m.

Rebekah was “slightly responsive” and breathing on her own when the neighbors brought her home, Baptiste alleges to officers. 

In the video footage, officers ask Baptiste why he did not call for an ambulance. 

Baptiste tells officers he was driving to an EMS facility when he noticed Rebekah’s lips started to change color. 

The Holbrook police officer wearing the body-worn camera also spoke with two children who were in the car. One of the children said Rebekah had run away that morning, and the neighbors brought her home. Both children confirmed their last name is Baptiste in the video footage. 

In the footage, Woods can be heard saying Rebekah had been complaining of a headache ever since she first ran away. Woods also claims that Rebekah had run away three times in two weeks.

Baptiste claims Rebekah ran away the week before the family moved from Phoenix to their current residence. 

The video footage ends with the Holbrook police officer going back to his car and calling an Apache County dispatcher. 

“It doesn’t look good for the little girl,” the officer said to the dispatcher with Apache County.

!2News is reviewing the body-worn camera footage and will share the latest details on 12+ at 7 p.m.

You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere, thanks to the 12News+ app! 

The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV. 

12News+  showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. 

Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. 

Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.” 

Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app. 

Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.