NC - Zahra Clare Baker, 10, Hickory, 9 Oct 2010 - #10

[Paintr]

LOL! Pudd, looks as if we posted at the same minute.

 

[pudd]

LOL! Pudd, looks as if we posted at the same minute.

Great minds, eh Paintr? :crazy:

 

[Paintr]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/15/1758012/missing-girl-now-believed-to-be.html


"There is not going to be a spot here unturned," said detective David South of the Burke County Sheriff's Office. "I want to find her. I don't want her to be out here. I want some closure."

He said he thought of his own three daughters, ages 2, 4 and 16, as he turned over large rocks and blocks of wood.


This must be very difficult for all the LE involved in this case. They are probably worried, exhausted and very fustrated by now. Hopefully they will find Zahra soon and be able to get some rest. This case has touched so many people.

 

[LiveLaughLuv]

Hunt continues for Zahra Baker, or her body

ZAHRA Baker's American step-mother has been locked up, "scared to death", amid new horror stories of the 10-year-old Australian girl.
Fresh evidence has emerged of beatings and a photo apparently showing a bruise under the right eye of the disabled girl.

US authorities, who believe Zahra was murdered, are yet to determine what happened to the girl or find her body.

Search teams began draining a pond near the bushland premises of a tree-trimming company where Zahra's Australian father, Adam Baker, worked while dogs inspected mulching machinery and large piles of wood chips.

Zahra's step-mother, Elisa Baker, and father remain suspects in the disappearance of the girl, who had her lower left leg amputated five years ago as a result of bone cancer, which also damaged her hearing.

Apart from her step-mother and father, police are yet to find someone who saw Zahra during the past month.

more at the link:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...aker-or-her-body/story-e6frg6nf-1225938927822

My heart just aches for Zahra...why are people coming forward NOW with all these claims of abuse?

Why didn't someone intervene, call 911, DSS anyone who could have helped Zahra?

Seems many dropped the ball for the school didn't follow up...JMHO

Where is Zahra?

 

[LiveLaughLuv]

Should Schools Have Raised Red Flag In Zahra Baker Case
Posted: 5:40 pm EDT October 14, 2010
Updated: 6:21 pm EDT October 14, 2010

CALDWELL COUNTY., N.C. -- On Thursday, Channel 9 investigated why someone hadn’t notice Zahra Baker was missing sooner.

A lot of times, the schools are the first ones to pick up on these things, but in this case no education officials at any level, in any county, knew where Baker was.

Channel 9 learned that Baker finished last school year in Caldwell County, but then she didn't show up for the first few days of school this year.

Channel 9 spoke with a school spokesperson, Libby Brown, on Thursday. She said a school counselor called Baker's parents and that Baker's parents said they moved to Hickory and were probably going to home-school Baker.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/25394665/detail.html

How many more have let Zahra down? The school didn't follow up on this alleged "home schooling"...no one filed any paperwork for home schooling of Zahra...JMHO

Where is this precious child?

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

I'll never get caught up, this thread is moving so fast. Could anyone please give a quick recap of what's new since two threads ago? She's still not been found?

I'm with you! I've been trying so hard to keep up but it's next to impossible at the rate these threads are moving.

On the last page I saw a reference to "the attic". Can someone please clue me in on what's up with that, please. (although I'm almost afraid to ask.)

This woman looks downright wicked and creepy in that mugshot....IMO.

 

[belimom]

I'm with you! I've been trying so hard to keep up but it's next to impossible at the rate these threads are moving.

On the last page I saw a reference to "the attic". Can someone please clue me in on what's up with that, please. (although I'm almost afraid to ask.)

This woman looks downright wicked and creepy in that mugshot....IMO.

BBM

Previous neighbors wonder if Zahra lived in the attic of the apartment.

Here you go:

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2010/oct/14/16/neighbors-wonder-if-zahra-kept-attic-ar-458767/

 

[belimom]

Should Schools Have Raised Red Flag In Zahra Baker Case
Posted: 5:40 pm EDT October 14, 2010
Updated: 6:21 pm EDT October 14, 2010

CALDWELL COUNTY., N.C. -- On Thursday, Channel 9 investigated why someone hadn’t notice Zahra Baker was missing sooner.

A lot of times, the schools are the first ones to pick up on these things, but in this case no education officials at any level, in any county, knew where Baker was.

Channel 9 learned that Baker finished last school year in Caldwell County, but then she didn't show up for the first few days of school this year.

Channel 9 spoke with a school spokesperson, Libby Brown, on Thursday. She said a school counselor called Baker's parents and that Baker's parents said they moved to Hickory and were probably going to home-school Baker.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/25394665/detail.html

How many more have let Zahra down? The school didn't follow up on this alleged "home schooling"...no one filed any paperwork for home schooling of Zahra...JMHO

Where is this precious child?

Having worked in public schools for a number of years, (and about to homeschool my oldest), there is a protocol. The counselor/secretary/principal (whoever records attendance/registration at the school) should have notified the central office. There is supposed to be paperwork filed for homeschooling students that is tracked by the central office/district office. Each state has its own laws regarding the process, so I'm not sure what they are in NC, but bottom line: checking on any student's enrollment should not have ended with that phone call.

 

[Kimberlyd125]

Good morning y'all. I'm praying this is the day Zahra is found.

This is a nightmare. Poor baby.

 

[tlcya]

Another day, another horror. I pray today is this day we get some answers that wil ultimately lead to justice for Zahra. Even then, I am sure it will still feel like too little too late but at least we can offer her in death what she didn't have in life. A voice.

 

[distracted 1976]

Here is an interesting question. On page 6 of the search warrants, in the top box where it lists the vehicles, it lists a third vehicle an 05 Impala.

This Impala is not mentioned anyplace else in any of the search documents.

WTH?

http://www.wbtv.com/global/link.asp?l=460807

Does anyone know what color the 90 Toyota Camry is?

 

[tlcya]

Police also told Channel 9 that they have more search warrants, but those court documents have been sealed by a judge. They have confirmed those documents involve searches of computer and phone records.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/25389806/detail.html

 

[LiveLaughLuv]

<<<<article snipped>>>>

Zahra Baker, who lost a leg in a battle with cancer, was first reported missing Saturday. Since then, police have not come up with any significant leads. However, dogs detected human remains in cars belonging to Zahra's parents. Police say they have doubts about the parents' version of the timeline going back a month, which prompted the homicide investigation.

According to ABC, police are looking into claims by relatives and neighbors that Zahra Baker was physically abused by her stepmother. "Elisa would get mad, she would take it out on Zahra, things the kid didn't deserve," Brittany Bentley said on CBS's Early Show. "She just had a horrible home life."

The story only gets more twisted from there. Kayla Rotenberry, who lived next to the Bakers for about a year, said that Elisa Baker would force Zahra to walk on her prosthetic leg for long distances. She would threaten punishment if Zahra slowed down. In addition, the items that police have seized from the house are rather ominous. Gas cans, burn samples form the morning fire, drug paraphernalia and possible blood samples. The Associated Press also revealed that Elisa Baker has been previously arrested for larceny, writing bad checks, making threats and driving with a revoked driver's license.

The situation certainly sound bleak, but here's hoping that Zahra is found alive.

http://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2010/10/zahra-baker-update-now-a-homicide-investigation.html

I wonder if all these folks who witnessed the abuse called authorities?

I also wonder how long Zahra has been truly "missing" from that home?

Why do people come forward after the fact?

This child would have been safer had she been removed from this abusive situation...JMHO

My heart just aches for Zahra..Where are you precious child???

I'm not a violent person by any means but when it comes to children all bets are off..I'd love just 15 minutes with this evil, cruella...just 15 minutes...:furious:JMHO

 

[tk71texas]

Does anyone know what color the 90 Toyota Camry is?

i thought i read it was maroon.....i could be mistaken

 

[tlcya]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/15/1758012/missing-girl-now-believed-to-be.html

One Hudson Elementary student, Alliy Merkwa, told Observer news partner WCNC-TV that she was a good friend and classmate of Zahra.

"I've been crying myself to sleep every night," she told WCNC.

Another student, Brittany Helton, said, "In our classroom, we've been talking about it. We drew pictures for her."

Alliy Merkwa added, "She never judged or criticized you."



Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...ng-girl-now-believed-to-be.html#ixzz12QoBUYd1

 

[bellyup]

I was so hoping for news this morning. This case has me staying up late and getting up early. I really hope Zhara is found today.

 

[Gozgals]

Blessings for Zhara today. I'm hoping we get some news and
she is found. I am also losing sleep over this poor, sweet child.
This story is heartbreaking. We don't need another cold case, we
need to find all of OUR CHILDREN...


Goz

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Bumping up the link about the attic for Blondie in Spokane and others who haven't seen it.

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2010/oct/14/16/neighbors-wonder-if-zahra-kept-attic-ar-458767/

Good morning all! Just catching up. Prayers for Zahra. Where are you sweetie?

wm

ETA...OOPS, belimom, you are way faster than I in providing links!

 

[big4dropout]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/15/1758012/missing-girl-now-believed-to-be.html

One Hudson Elementary student, Alliy Merkwa, told Observer news partner WCNC-TV that she was a good friend and classmate of Zahra.

"I've been crying myself to sleep every night," she told WCNC.

Another student, Brittany Helton, said, "In our classroom, we've been talking about it. We drew pictures for her."

Alliy Merkwa added, "She never judged or criticized you."



Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/20...ng-girl-now-believed-to-be.html#ixzz12QoBUYd1

Ugh, my heart just broke a little more.

 

[Patty G]

Does anyone have the link to the article where it first mentioned that Zahra's bio mom had been searching for Zahra for five years and didn't know Adam remarried and moved to the USA?