NC - Zahra Clare Baker, 10, Hickory, 9 Oct 2010 - #2

[salvarenga]

I am so sick of DSS dropping the ball with these children. Or any responsible adult who sees something like this going on. Children can not stand up to their abusers alone. When their parents or caretakers fail, it should be our responsibility as adults to step up for these kids.

IMO, if some DSS rep let this one slide, then they should be charged as an accessory to murder. Perhaps a few of these convictions would make lazy DSS reps start doing their jobs.

I also want to add if any other adult (teacher, father, friend of the family, family member, etc.) stood by and just swept this abuse under the rug they are just as guilty in my book as well. This case just breaks my heart. This child survived not one but two bouts of cancer only to be snuffed out by some low life.

 

[Cher352]

I am actually wondering whether, if it turns out she's been missing two or more months already, the REAL reason the school was notified that she was going to be "homeschooled" this year was because she was already GONE when school started.

I am beginning to believe so too. In that case the father is just as guilty!:furious:

 

[Aedrys]

Maybe someone had questioned her whereabouts and they felt the need to stage this.. Or maybe that's a dumb idea because someone would have come forward if they were concerned.

This is what really bothers me. If she was dead for weeks, or even God forbid, months, and they were getting away with it, why on earth doing something stupid now to draw attention to what they did? Why not move away or something? Someone must have started asking about her, and I bet they panicked. They definitely make the top stupidest criminals list for sure...

ETA: And what really burns me up is if she was gone for weeks or months, why it took so long for people to notice she wasn't there! That is the real tragedy for me!

 

[Blue Ridge]

Does anyone think that a family member might have deliberately set the fire hoping that LE would check on Zahra? It sounds like DFCS was called several times but nothing was done. That must have been agonizing and frustrating to have no authority to do more.

Well if they hadn't found that "ransom note" it might be a possibility but as it is, I don't think so myself..

 

[Patty G]

How long has Zahra and Adam been in the USA?

 

[mysticrose]

This case as it seems to be playing out is why it is sooooo important for people to step up to the plate and report about possible abuse going on.
Alot of people feel it is none of their business or someone else will do it, what if no one does ? Then we end up with cases such as these.

Please remember that you can change the outcome for children exposed by possible abuse, it only takes a phone call, and if I may say the first call made should be to LE not CPS because once LE is involved CPS is forced more to pay attention to it imho only.

I just found out from my son about an abuse situation going on with one of his dear friends he has had since elementary school, parents at one time were meth users, went to jail got clean, got the kids back and now I fear they are using again and thus the abuse starting and it is from the SM, will I be picking up the phone today YES asking LE to do a wellfare check on these children. Apparently SM slammed the childs head (14) into the door frame and gave her a concussion all for coming home 15 mins late, while dad stood by and let it happen .....

Please again if you suspect, it doesn't hurt to pick up the phone you just may save their life , in more ways then one..............

 

[tlcya]

The more I hear from this Bentley woman, the more livid I become! I am sorry but as she reveals more and more details about little Zahra's life and treatment by SM I have to ask, Why in God's name did this woman not do more to intervene/protect this child???

Quote "she was beat almost every time I was over there . . . " REALLY?!?! And you did exactly what Ms. Bentley?

 

[Aedrys]

The more I hear from this Bentley woman, the more livid I become! I am sorry but as she reveals more and more details about little Zahra's life and treatment by SM I have to ask, Why in God's name did this woman not do more to intervene/protect this child???

Quote "she was beat almost every time I was over there . . . " REALLY?!?! And you did exactly what Ms. Bentley?

That makes me livid. So the dad sat there and watched, and it sounds like Ms. Brittany didn't do much more than that either! How people can know abuse is going on and know the child is going to die someday and DO NOTHING ABOUT IT?

 

[Kimberlyd125]

I really was getting mad @ hearing "We knew something like this would happen" I'm feeling better that they reported her to DSS. So my next question, what did they do (DSS)?
I'm praying that Zahra is some place safe.

If you would like to know more of how DSS works in NC, google Shaniya Nicole Davis.

 

[tk71texas]

The more I hear from this Bentley woman, the more livid I become! I am sorry but as she reveals more and more details about little Zahra's life and treatment by SM I have to ask, Why in God's name did this woman not do more to intervene/protect this child???

Quote "she was beat almost every time I was over there . . . " REALLY?!?! And you did exactly what Ms. Bentley?

I think she may have tried to do something and it resulted in the death threats to her and her baby. Which resulting in the harrassing communication charge.

 

[tlcya]

I guess we will hav to wait and see what DSS involvment was and whether any balls were dropped. MOO We may be waiting a while (Shaniya Davis case) on that info. Hopefully, in this matter of Zahra, I hope DSS is giving LE their full and immediate cooperation (unlike the shameful delay in the Shaniya matter)!

 

[concerned4kids]

The more I hear from this Bentley woman, the more livid I become! I am sorry but as she reveals more and more details about little Zahra's life and treatment by SM I have to ask, Why in God's name did this woman not do more to intervene/protect this child???

Quote "she was beat almost every time I was over there . . . " REALLY?!?! And you did exactly what Ms. Bentley?

Exactly my thoughts.. Who sits there and lets a monster beat on a sweet little girl with a Prosthetic leg and battling Cancer and says nothing??? I am just so upset with everyone that failed Zahra.. This has got to stop!!! :furious:

 

[Aedrys]

I guess we will hav to wait and see what DSS involvment was and whether any balls were dropped. MOO We may be waiting a while (Shaniya Davis case) on that info. Hopefully, in this matter of Zahra, I hope DSS is giving LE their full and immediate cooperation (unlike the shameful delay in the Shaniya matter)!

I bet NC DSS is panicking and CYAing themselves like crazy right now...

ETA: Wasn't Shaniya's case not that long ago, if I remember correctly? Shameful, NC DSS! Just shameful!

 

[Kimberlyd125]

I guess we will hav to wait and see what DSS involvment was and whether any balls were dropped. MOO We may be waiting a while (Shaniya Davis case) on that info. Hopefully, in this matter of Zahra, I hope DSS is giving LE their full and immediate cooperation (unlike the shameful delay in the Shaniya matter)!

Well, we know that DSS is being investigated in Shaniya's case for keeping info from LE. Because, they dropped the ball. So, they tried to hide it.
SHAMEFUL!!!! Way to go NC DSS!!!

 

[Kimberlyd125]

I bet NC DSS is panicking and CYAing themselves like crazy right now...

ETA: Wasn't Shaniya's case not that long ago, if I remember correctly? Shameful, NC DSS! Just shameful!

Yes, less than a year ago.
Shaniya was sold/raped/killed/dumped in November of 2009.

 

[Aedrys]

Yes, less than a year ago.
Shaniya was sold/raped/killed/dumped in November of 2009.

Wow are they in deep doodoo - two kids deaths in less than a year? Some heads are going to be rolling...

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

I hope today's presser is to announce murder charges for these beasts Elisa and Adam Baker.

 

[NancyA]

I am so angry I am in tears over this story. We must band together - it takes a village to take care of our children, people must take more responsibility in a community to keep on situations such as this and demand support and interference for these children. I am sick and freaking tired of this. I am compelled to begin working with my local law enforcement on how communites can band together to protect children in KNOW abusive situations.:banghead::steamed::rage:

Totally agree. What really gets to me about this case and others like it is all the people who are only NOW coming forward to say they saw signs of abuse/neglect. The one neighbour who said she wished she'd reported it...excuse me??!! Well it's too bloody late now, dear. :banghead:

 

[ella971]

I hope today's presser is to announce murder charges for these beasts Elisa and Adam Baker.

Online? TIA

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

For those new to the thread/the case, there is a case archive album:

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Zahra Baker -NC-/