Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Mystery deepens over disabled NC girl's killing
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Mystery deepens over disabled NC girl's killing
By MITCH WEISS,Associated Press -
Saturday, November 13
Send
IM Story
Print
HICKORY, N.C. – Police were confident a freckle-faced disabled 10-year-old girl was killed, but the mystery of how she died deepened when police said a set of remains was uncovered five miles away from where one of her bones was found.
The bone, discovered in some brush alongside Zahra Baker's prosthetic leg, was discovered in an area near where the family lived until mid-September. Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, is currently in jail, charged with trying to throw off investigators with a bogus ransom note. Her father, Adam Baker, has been arrested on charges unrelated to Zahra's disappearance and is free on bail.
Recently, Elisa Baker began cooperating with police and led them to the areas where the remains and the bone were found, though she has not been charged in Zahra's death.
"I've been dreading this moment from early on in the investigation," said Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins, who explained that investigators matched the bone with the child's DNA. "We have recovered enough physical evidence to think we have found Zahra."
Soon after Zahra was reported missing, investigators cast doubt on accounts given by her father and stepmother. Police had trouble finding anyone other than Zahra's parents who had seen her alive in the weeks before her disappearance, and a suspicious early morning fire occurred at the family's home several hours before she was reported missing.
It was then that police discovered a ransom note addressed to Adam Baker's boss on the windshield of Baker's car. Police went to that man's house, and found him and his daughter to be fine. Elisa Baker, 42, admitted writing the note and has been charged with obstruction of justice, police said.
Adam Baker, 33, is facing one count each of assault with a deadly weapon and failure to return rental property, two counts of communicating threats and five counts of writing worthless checks, authorities said.
Zahra, whose cancer forced her to use a prosthetic leg and hearing aids, was reported missing by her parents Oct. 9. They said she was last seen in her bed at their home in Hickory, about 50 miles northwest of Charlotte.
Zahra was born in Australia and moved to North Carolina about two years ago after her father met his soon-to-be wife online. Zahra's friends and relatives in Giru, Australia, described her as an outgoing, happy girl despite the cancer, and said she didn't want to come to the U.S.
"Investigators, agents, officers and staff who worked on this case are devastated that we were not able to find Zahra alive and bring her home safely," said Adkins, who wouldn't answer any questions at a news conference.
District Attorney James Gaither Jr. refused to say if the girl was dismembered or if any more charges were imminent.
"I'm not going to discuss that right now," Gaither said.
Neighbors and relatives have said that Elisa Baker had a short temper and was abusive toward her stepdaughter. Caldwell County Department of Social Services investigated the family because Zahra went to school with bruises and a teacher alerted school officials, who have said they are prohibited by law from discussing the case.
Zahra's friends and family in Australia were less than thrilled when she moved away, especially since her medical treatments were free there. Kim Wright, who became something of a surrogate mother to Zahra in Australia, told The Associated Press they became friends four years ago at a cancer fundraising event. She was sitting in a chair waiting for her head to be shaved to raise money when Zahra approached, took her hand and told her not to be scared.
Zahra was diagnosed with bone cancer about five years ago. She had her leg amputated and a few months later, doctors discovered tumors in her lungs. She had chemotherapy, but the treatment led to a partial hearing loss. Still, she remained upbeat, attending a camp for children with cancer and inspiring her fellow campers by taking part in all the physical activities.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Travolta jets home as wife goes into labour AFP - 30 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 34 minutes ago
Suu Kyi urges freedom of speech in army-ruled Myanmar Reuters - 35 minutes ago
Karzai: US should reduce military operations AFP - 56 minutes ago
Somali pirates free British couple AFP - 1 hour 48 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Travolta jets home as wife goes into labour
Property bubble fears weigh on Spanish recovery
Greece faces difficult talks with EU, IMF
Sarkozy clears decks for French government reshuffle
United late show salvages dramatic draw at Villa
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
'Naked' airport scanners may be 'dangerous'
Zsa Zsa Gabor rushed to hospital for blood clot
Asian Games open with China set to dominate
After Fed boost, global woes hit Wall Street
Britain launches fresh drive on tax havens
More Most Viewed »
Alcohol more harmful than heroin, crack cocaine: study
Toddler survives seven-floor fall in France
Spectacular unknown species found in Amazon
EU fines 11 airlines 800 million euros for air cargo cartel
Be fit, have fewer colds: study
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Sunday, 14 November 2010 South Sudan monitors see risk of fraud in voter lists
Big German protests pressure Merkel before CDU meet
|
Iraq's Allawi
Volkswagen eyes rehaul of trucking: report
Insurgents attack NATO base in eastern Afghanistan
South Sudan monitors see risk of fraud in voter lists
|
Afghan minorities fear peace talks with Taliban
NATO: insurgents kills 3 service members in attack
Militants assault NATO base in eastern Afghanistan
Irish end losing streak in unconvincing fashion
Ashton inspires England win over Australia
World leaders hail Suu Kyi's release
Japan, Russia leaders meet amid island row
Aung San Suu Kyi 'completely free': Myanmar
Nobel laureates celebrate Suu Kyi release
Japan, China feud thaws with leaders' talks
Film on climate change bad boy says 'Cool It' over panic
New York's David Chang to open Sydney eatery
Obama welcomes release of 'hero' Aung San Suu Kyi
X Factor hopefuls to sing Elton John song's
Noisy homes leave UK children 'unable to listen'
Amazon Stops Sale Of Pedophile Guide Book
Pope says internet users risk 'solitude'
Israel's Netanyahu unveils U.S. plan for new talks
Sarkozy clears decks for French government reshuffle
Airbase attacked, 10 killed in Afghan market bombing
Cuba to free two more political prisoners
|
Berlusconi bids to stave off political crisis
Bangladesh opposition strikes over ex-PM's eviction
|
Wary of Taliban, Afghan mujahedeen ready for fight
Bulgaria, Russia set up joint venture to build gas pipeline
Property bubble fears weigh on Spanish recovery
Race tightens in Guinea presidential run-off
|
Greece faces difficult talks with EU, IMF
Fire at German petting zoo kills 26 animals
Sarkozy clears decks for French government reshuffle
Karzai wants U.S. to cut back Afghan military operations
|
United late show salvages dramatic draw at Villa
Suu Kyi urges freedom of speech in army-ruled Myanmar
|
Global Weather-Celsius
Miner to drill beneath Sydney for gas
Filipino champ Pacquiao 'goes distance' to beat Margarito
Park, Kitajima out to halt Chinese juggernaut at Asiad
Pacquiao 'goes the distance' to beat Margarito
Demand hikes up pilgrimage prices in crowded Mecca
Autographed Ruth homer ball a hit at auction
Mystery deepens over disabled NC girl's killing
Australian politician Hanson abandons move to UK
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Free trade ambitions of Pacific Rim leaders
Zsa Zsa Gabor home from hospital
APEC leaders make pledge on free-trade
Aung San Suu Kyi arrives at party headquarters
Paris's Louvre appeals for million euros to buy masterpiece
China to speed up Japan rare earth exports: trade minister
Many Japanese say govt should release China video
Madoff's watch sells for 67,500 dollars
Nicaragua, Costa Rica urged to pull back in river spat
|
Turkey to invite Toshiba for nuclear plant talks: report
All Blacks coach wary of Ireland after thrashing Scots
IMF chief: Ready to help Ireland if needed
Coach Johnson hails England young guns after Wallaby rout
US-TECH Summary
Nicaragua, Costa Rica urged to pull back in river spat
Al Qaeda denies plot to target Muslim pilgrims
Francois Fillon returns as French prime minister
Somali pirates free British couple
Netanyahu presents U.S. settlement plan to cabinet
|
Delay possible to Greek debt repayments: Papandreou
Karzai: US should reduce military operations
British couple freed by pirates arrives in Kenya
|
Israel mulls settlement freeze amid building frenzy
Bosnians, Albanians rush to get visa-free passport
In Afghan south, US troops in re-building drive
Travolta jets home as wife goes into labour
NATO says 5 soldiers killed in Afghanistan
|
Ohio Family Mysteriously Disappears
Afghan government says kidnapped diplomat released
Berlusconi faces crunch week amid economic worries
Five People Killed On Californian Highway
Al Qaeda denies plot to target Muslim pilgrims
|
Karzai says US should reduce operations' intensity
U.S. Signs Transit Agreement With Kazakhstan For Supplies To Afghanistan
NATO summit will mark 'improvement' in Russia ties
Iraqi Military Intelligence Pessimistic As Government Under Construction
France's Sarkozy keeps Fillon as PM in reshuffle
|
Afghan militants torch NATO convoy; blasts kill 3
Greeks vote under threat of more austerity
|
Afghan militants burn NATO convoy; blasts kill 3
Military exercises carried out near nuclear sites: Iran
|
Greece lets Gaza activists disembark from ship
|
Italy's Berlusconi, rival ready for final showdown
|
British granny takes clubland by storm
Ubisoft assassins begin prowling the Internet
Oscar governors honor Coppola, Godard with awards
Night owls and early birds: Paris' nightlife dilemma
Iran's Entekhab buys Daewoo Electronics: reports
"Hallows" my favorite Potter film so far: Rowling
Cosmopolitan French conductor says 'music has no borders'
India eyes double-digit growth
Japan PM pushes economic ties to help ease disputes
Vietnam Airlines launches new route to Yangon
Japan, Peru agree on free trade pact
Japan invited to meet with US-backed TPP members
Gas talks still on hold between Japan, China
Asia-Pacific leaders vow to work for freer trade
Oscar governors honor Coppola, Godard with awards
|
Hallows my favorite Potter film so far: Rowling
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights