HICKORY, N.C. — The stepmother of a 10-year-old disabled girl was indicted Monday on a charge that she killed the child, and officials released the latest gruesome detail in the case of Zahra Baker: Her head is missing.
Medical examiners said Zahra’s death was caused by “undetermined homicidal violence.” An autopsy was done even though authorities haven’t recovered many bones, most notably the girl’s skull, months after she was reported missing. Several bones showed cutting-tool marks consistent with dismemberment.
The revelation came in documents released by the state’s chief medical examiner shortly after officials in western North Carolina held a news conference about the second-degree murder charge. Elisa Baker has been jailed since the weekend the girl was reported missing.
Prosecutor James Gaither Jr. said at the news conference that there was no credible evidence to suggest anyone else was involved in Zahra’s slaying. Attorneys for Elisa Baker did not return calls seeking comment Monday.
Police found the girl’s remains in different places around western North Carolina, and Elisa Baker told authorities that the child had been dismembered, according to warrants. Elisa Baker was charged with obstructing justice in the investigation by writing a fake ransom note that was found when the girl was reporting missing.
The second-degree indictment cites aggravating factors, saying Elisa Baker had a history of physically and verbally abusing Zahra, who used a prosthetic leg and hearing aids after being stricken with cancer.
Baker, 42, has led a nomadic life. She’s been married seven times and was wed to more than one man on several occasions. She met Zahra’s father, Adam Baker, on a role-playing website.
Adam Baker is free on bail, facing numerous charges not related to his daughter. He moved to North Carolina with Zahra from Australia after meeting Elisa online.
