Scared Monkeys Discussion Forum

I was hoping not to make it to page 2...

I watched local news just now and Burke Co. Sheriff said he doesn't believe the father is being truthful.

http://www.ncnn.com/content/view/6485/26/

"McDevitt said Zahra’s father, Adam Baker, was also on scene. He characterized his behavior as "not exactly cooperative," adding that, in his opinion, Baker is not being truthful."

"The land searched belongs to the family of a foreman at the tree trimming company where Zahra's father Adam works. It is an area where mulch, wood chips, and heavy equipment is stored. Bobby Green, a former employee of the company, says Baker would have had access there."

Beautiful angel girl.  No more evil step-monster, ever.

I think the jail should beat Elisa and call her names, cut off her leg and see how fast she can walk on a prosthesis.  They should keep her locked up alone behind  a solid door, except for five minutes per meal to wolf down her jail grub, with guards hollering at her like drill seargeants for the entire five minutes.  HURRY UP.  Two minutes.  Shove it in, Baker.  One and a half.  Thirty seconds.  DONE...  <whisks tray away>  Shove. Slam. Silence.

 ::MonkeyMad::

I am with you on this Dese!! grrrrr! ::MonkeyMad::

(to be moved if this belongs elsewhere)



A preliminary timeline that includes Zhara's local (U.S.) school attendance history:

Prior to March 2009
Nothing.

March 2009 to June 2009
3rd Grade:
Hudson Elementary
Hudson (Caldwell Co.) NC

-summer vacation 2009-

Late Summer(?) 2009
According to Marshall Fairchild, his daughter
Elisa moved out of his home around this
time ("more than a year ago") after a
dispute.  He has not seen Zhara
since then.

Note:  Fairchild lives less than 2 miles
from the Bakers' current Hickory address.
His is the address shown for Elisa on her current
incarceration record.  He blames "drugs" for for
Elisa's behavior.

August 2009 to March 2010
Most of 4th grade:
Granite Falls Elementary
Granite Falls (Caldwell Co.) NC

March 2010 to June 2010
Remainder of 4th Grade:
Back at Hudson Elementary

March or April 2010
Adam starts work at Real Tree Services,
on Hartland Road, near Morganton.

May 2010
(Date not certain)
Elisa's family reports suspicions
of abuse to DSS.

Note:  Early Oct. 2010, the
Bakers' former neighbor in
Hudson recalls that a male DSS
investigator visited Elisa "several
months ago."

May 10, 2010
Zhara is fitted for a free hearing aid
at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Elisa tells reporters that the school
informed her about the program.
Zhara does not appear to have a
black eye or obvious bruising.

May 13, 2010
An incident involving Brittany
occurs which results in charges for
"communicating threats" (against
Elisa and Adam) and "assault
w/deadly weapon" (against Adam).
Brittany recalls that this incident
occurred "right after" the family had
reported the abuse allegations
to DSS.

Note:  County rap sheet shows
the Bakers' address as 4100 Phillip in
Hudson at the time.

-summer vacation 2010-

August 2010
Zhara was pre-enrolled for 5th grade
at Hudson Elementary,
but never showed up for school.

Note: In several conversations,
the school warned the parents that Zhara
legally must attend school.  Elisa informed
the school that Zhara was to be home-
schooled now.

Since August 2010
There is no record of Zhara being enrolled
in any home-school program in NC.

(Date unknown)
Neither Elisa nor Adam showed up for
their court date(s) for the May 13
charges.  Warrants were issued.

Late August/Early September
Two possibly related events occurred:
(1) (Per Brittany) Elisa was placed on
the Top Three "Most Wanted" list for
Caldwell County.
(2) The Bakers moved across the river,
to Catawba Co., into a home which
has been reported to belong to Mark
David Coffey.

Note:  Mark Coffey is reported
to be Adam's "boss." The fake ransom
note, which mentioned his daughter
and a son, was addressed to him.

Since at least the time of the move
LE has been unable to locate anyone
who has seen Zhara alive.  The
neighbors in Hickory did not even
realize the Bakers had a daughter.

Friday, October 8, 2010
Brittany says Elisa called her Friday night
and asked her to withdraw "the charges."
(Meaning the criminal complaint? or
the child abuse allegations?)
Brittany refused.  Elisa was
very upset.

Saturday, October 9, 2010
Within the next few hours, events began
to unfold: the fire, the ransom note, the
2pm 911 call to report Zhara "missing,"
the arrest of Elisa, the continuing
investigation.

Source:  Notes compiled from various local news videos October 11-12; so sorry I can't recall which ones, or I'd post the links.
- - - - - - - - - -

Photo from the hearing aid event.
http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2010/10/11/22/missing1012.ART_G4O1PJOJK.1+missing.embedded.prod_affiliate.138.jpg

I'm wondering if there could be any connection between the hearing aids and an impending or a recently completed DSS visit, back in May and/or in light of recent events.

thanks for the info on Zhara school attendance ...

sigh...why didn't Dad leave Zhara with gramma Karen??? she would have continued her happy life with her..Dad did not stick up for Zhara from the sounds of things..
Zhara had no one to talk to, no one to save her...so sad! no child should have to endure what Zhara went through

I think the hearing today is on the obstruction charge, but that could be wrong. I don't know if it's even still on, or what time.

It's nauseating to think of this monster having a lawyer to tell the public how upset his poor client is, cover for her, protect her from the consequences of her own heinous acts, and fall all over himself (in vain) to try to make her look like a sympathetic individual.

Where was ZAHRA's advocate?

Her attorney will also use the fact that Elisa is a rabid narcissist and according to her MySpace blog entries where she claims to have all these diseases, some shrink will say she has Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome or something else equally as weird. I'm sure it won't work (I hope) but it certainly will be nauseating to watch.

http://blogs.myspace.com/gothicfairy6668

I think they should bring back tarring and feathering here in NC, specifically for her.

I said it on the last thread and I'll repeat it again...They better not give her the KC Anthony treatment. General population now and forever. She is NOT special.

Thank you for this time line it cleared up a lot of my questions.

reposting from page 49, since these articles contains a lot of new info/insight:


ZAHRA Baker's grandmother Karen Baker and close family friend Kim Wright are devastated by her disappearance.

Both spent many an hour with the bubbly Wagga-born girl in the four years she was growing up in Giru.

Because of her illness, Zahra could not go to school for 12 months, and the local community banded together and raised enough money to buy the Giru State School student a laptop and education programs so she could study at home.

Giru resident Ms Wright met Zahra during one of those fundraising drives and became close friends with both Adam and his daughter, as well as Zahra's grandparents, Tony and Karen.

Ms Wright, who worked with both Adam and Tony at the Invicta Sugar Mill, said it would be hard to find a more determined and positive little girl who refused to let her disabilities stop her doing what every other little girl did growing up in a small country town.

"She was the most determined little girl I have ever met," Ms Wright said.

"She was going to still do everything she could, despite not having her leg or her hearing.

"People say she has had a rough trot, but she never believed that for a second.

"I just want to get on a plane right now and get over there and help look for her - she can't be gone.

"I can only imagine what poor Adam is going through - he really loved her, and there is no way he would ever hurt her."

Zahra was essentially raised from toddlerhood in Giru by her grandmother Karen, who moved to the township in May 2004 from Newcastle with husband Tony.

Three of their four sons - including Adam - followed them north, and also settled in the town.

With her father and grandfather working shifts at the sugar mill, Zahra and her grandmother formed an extremely close bond.

Karen yesterday was in tears over her granddaughter's disappearance and said her son was absolutely devastated.

Mrs Baker begged anyone in her son's hometown in the United States to come forward with information.

"We are just stunned and shocked and so upset about what has happened," she said from her Newcastle home yesterday.

"Adam is obviously very upset, but he is holding up.

"The North Carolina police have been in constant contact, keeping us up-to-date with what is going on, but there is nothing we can do from here - we feel so helpless. We have friends who live over there who work in the trucking industry, and they have got all their mates to put out the alert that Zahra is missing through their CB systems, so hopefully there will be someone who has seen something. We want our darling girl back safe and sound."


http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2010/10/13/176611_news.html


BUBBLY North Queensland Zahra Baker grew up in the tiny sugarcane township of Giru (population 375), on the Haughton River, 56km southeast of Townsville.

Zahra was a happy, healthy five-year-old, living with her father Adam and grandparents Karen and Tony Baker, when she was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer, leading to loss of hearing in both ears, and the amputation of her lower left leg.

Two years later, she was diagnosed with secondary lung cancer, but 12 months after that, was told she had gone into remission.

One of the first things she did to celebrate was to join about 30 other North Queensland children and their companions on the adventure of a lifetime with Camp Quality in September 2008.

Soldiers from B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry regiment from Townsville's Lavarack Army Barracks, gave up their weekend to escort the children to their camp near Innisfail, three hours north of Townsville, on board Army Bush Master Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs).

Zahra's grandmother Karen said at the time that Zahra's eyes lit up when she saw the soldiers waiting to take them to camp.

"Her eyes couldn't have been any bigger. She loves the whole army business," Ms Baker said.

"The picture tells the whole story, she handles everything with a smile. She has been on camp a couple of years ago, but she hadn't been well enough to go again until this year.

"The Camp Quality people are just wonderful."

Camp Quality North Queensland manager Mark McGregor, currently in India as a sports producer for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, said yesterday he was "devastated" to hear of Zahra's disappearance.

"She has been through two major cancer battles, the first one where she had to have a leg amputated, the second one where she battled lung cancer," Mr McGregor said.

"She was the life of any camp we went on - the kids loved her.

"Other kids were so inspired by her enthusiasm and her fight to live against all the odds. On a camp last year with the little kids, she was doing the ropes course on one leg, and I remember the kids saying to her: 'Zahra, how can you do that?'

"And she said 'Because I want to' - and that was just incredible.

"She was the most inspiring kid."

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2010/10/13/176621_hpphoto.html

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/
Homicide Investigation Begins for Zahra Baker
Police are asking if anyone has seen the 10-year-old in the last month.
10/13/2010

I completely AGREE! The closest she ever got to special was being in the presence of Zahra..and the special place in Hell where she will end up spending eternity.

I think they should set the wood chipper right next to her cell. Then when she tries to go to sleep they should turn it on chipping wood and throw in red jello and let it spray into her cell.

I hate this woman. She is evil. I do not believe this child was killed before this last weekend I do believe she tortured her and locked her in her room. They should put her in blocks in the town square like witches of Salem. They should find every possible way to torture her. Considering she is a druggie they have drugs that are perfect for her and yes they are used intavenously. Maybe they can poke and miss the vein several times. She should really enjoy those. In her case they should pretend to do it then stop and do it again. Her not knowing when it will all end. Hearing those who are in attendance laughing at her while this is going on.

Then they should move on to Adam from there. What a sorry excuse for a father he has turned out to be. He had to have known of the torture this woman was doing to this precious child. If he wasn't involved in the chipper process or the actual murder then he still needs to spend the rest of his life in prison for such a heinous crime as this. Which might not be that long considering.

Sorry I feel a little better now, I am so angry.

Lord take this precious child into the comfort of your arms. Love her like she hasn't been for so long. She is one of ours who has been lost to us for now. She is one of your most wonderful and precious angels.

BURKE COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - Sheriff's deputies plan to resume searching a brush pile just north of Morganton Wednesday morning for any clues concerning a missing 10-year-old girl, and her stepmother will appear in court for an obstruction of justice charge.

The search site is located in an area where a tree trimming company dumps tree limbs and other debris.  It is located off Hartland Road near Bristol Creek Avenue.

Officials searched the area late Tuesday night and ended their search around 1 a.m. on Wednesday.  The pile of debris is about 100 feet by 50 feet.  Workers are using heavy equipment to examine the debris.

Sheriff's deputies are expected to resume their search Wednesday after 9 a.m.
http://hickory.wbtv.com/content/searchers-look-brush-pile-missing-girl-stepmother-appear-court

HICKORY, N.C. –  To relatives and former neighbors, Elisa Baker had a short fuse. In interviews and court documents, they portrayed her as nasty-tempered and willing to use a gun or her fists to settle an argument and say her disabled stepdaughter usually bore the brunt of her rage.

Investigators said Tuesday they believe someone killed 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker, who was reported missing over the weekend. Baker was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, accused of trying to throw off investigators with a fake ransom note.

"She was always beating her," former neighbor Karen Yount said Tuesday. "I told her to stop but she wouldn't listen to anyone. That poor girl."

Police said the search for Zahra had shifted to a homicide investigation, canceling a missing child alert for the shy but upbeat girl who used hearing aids and a prosthetic leg because of bone cancer.

Elisa Baker is the only person accused in the case so far. Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said she was charged with felony obstruction of justice after admitting she wrote the note, which asked for $1 million. She had already been in jail since the weekend on unrelated charges. Adkins said Baker has asked for an attorney, but none had been assigned late Tuesday.

At a news conference, Adkins said police can't find anyone outside the household who has seen Zahra alive in the last month. That uncertainty has stymied efforts to search for her, despite offers from volunteers in the city of 40,000 about 50 miles northwest of Charlotte.

"We understand the public wants to help find Zahra. The problem is we cannot confirm with any confidence how long Zahra has been missing," he said. "Without this information, we cannot positively select the area to search for her."

Zahra's father, Adam Baker, has said it was possible his wife could be involved in the disappearance, and other relatives echoed those remarks.

"I just think this was something for a long time that we knew was going to happen, everybody that was close to the family," relative Brittany Bentley said on CBS' "Early Show" on Tuesday.

Bentley, who is married to Elisa Baker's nephew, said she would have Zahra over for weekends and the girl would get angry when it was time to return home. The girl was being home-schooled, but had attended public schools in the past, police said.

Zahra "was locked in her room, allowed five minutes out a day to eat, that was it," Bentley said. "She was beat almost every time I was over there for just the smallest things. Elisa would get mad, she would take it out on Zahra, things the kid didn't deserve."

Adkins did not take any questions or further explain why the case was being treated as a homicide probe. A search warrant revealed on Monday that police dogs detected the smell of human remains on cars belonging to the father and stepmother.

Adam Baker has not been charged in the case, though the chief said previously he hasn't been ruled out as a suspect.

Caldwell County Court records show that Bentley filed a complaint May 13 against Elisa Baker, claiming she threatened to kill her and her young daughter in a dispute over money. She said Elisa Baker threatened them with a stun gun and a gun, and Bentley feared for their lives.

Ten days later, Yount said in her complaint that Elisa Baker made verbal threats against her child.

"She said my daughter and other girls were talking about her daughter. That wasn't true. She just started screaming and shouting and threatening to hit everybody," Yount said.

The ransom note found Saturday was the first sign that officers were faced with something more sinister. Zahra was reported missing that afternoon. The stepmother said she last saw Zahra sleeping in her room about 12 hours earlier, though Adkins has indicated he doesn't believe the timeline the couple gave him.

Officers investigated a yard fire at the girl's home hours before she was reported missing. Near the burnt limbs and grass, the note had been left on the windshield of the car belonging to Adam Baker.

It was addressed to Adam Baker's boss, though police quickly determined that man's family was safe.

Other neighbors say they also feared for the girl's safety.

"There were warning signs along the way, but you never want to think the worst," said former neighbor Kayla Rotenberry.

Her fiance, Bobby Green, said an investigator from the Department of Social Services visited the Bakers' house a few months ago: "I saw him when he knocked on their door. He said they were looking into whether the girl was being beaten."

The agency didn't return a phone message Tuesday.

Adam Baker was from Australia, and met his current wife over the Internet, a family friend said. Zahra's mother lives outside the U.S.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/10/13/friends-say-missing-nc-girls-stepmother-angry/


There were people that stepped up and called DSS (who clearly did NOTHING) but so many more stood by and did NOTHING, even though they knew this angel was being abused. I hope they never have another peaceful nights sleep again. Shame on THEM!

It really pisses me off and makes me so angry.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Missing-girls-stepmother-due-in-court-today-104847959.html

Missing girl's stepmother due in court today

by MITCH WEISS / Associated Press

WCNC.com

Posted on October 13, 2010 at 7:25 AM

HICKORY, N.C. (AP) -- To relatives and former neighbors, Elisa Baker had a short fuse. In interviews and court documents, they portrayed her as nasty-tempered and willing to use a gun or her fists to settle an argument and say her disabled stepdaughter usually bore the brunt of her rage.

Investigators said Tuesday they believe someone killed 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker, who was reported missing over the weekend. Baker was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, accused of trying to throw off investigators with a fake ransom note.

"She was always beating her," former neighbor Karen Yount said Tuesday. "I told her to stop but she wouldn't listen to anyone. That poor girl."

Police said the search for Zahra had shifted to a homicide investigation, canceling a missing child alert for the shy but upbeat girl who used hearing aids and a prosthetic leg because of bone cancer.

Elisa Baker is the only person accused in the case so far. Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said she was charged with felony obstruction of justice after admitting she wrote the note, which asked for $1 million. She had already been in jail since the weekend on unrelated charges. Adkins said Baker has asked for an attorney, but none had been assigned late Tuesday.

At a news conference, Adkins said police can't find anyone outside the household who has seen Zahra alive in the last month. That uncertainty has stymied efforts to search for her, despite offers from volunteers in the city of 40,000 about 50 miles northwest of Charlotte.

"We understand the public wants to help find Zahra. The problem is we cannot confirm with any confidence how long Zahra has been missing," he said. "Without this information, we cannot positively select the area to search for her."

Zahra's father, Adam Baker, has said it was possible his wife could be involved in the disappearance, and other relatives echoed those remarks.

"I just think this was something for a long time that we knew was going to happen, everybody that was close to the family," relative Brittany Bentley said on Tuesday.

Bentley, who is married to Elisa Baker's nephew, said she would have Zahra over for weekends and the girl would get angry when it was time to return home. The girl was being home-schooled, but had attended public schools in the past, police said.

Zahra "was locked in her room, allowed five minutes out a day to eat, that was it," Bentley said. "She was beat almost every time I was over there for just the smallest things. Elisa would get mad, she would take it out on Zahra, things the kid didn't deserve."

Adkins did not take any questions or further explain why the case was being treated as a homicide probe. A search warrant revealed on Monday that police dogs detected the smell of human remains on cars belonging to the father and stepmother.

Adam Baker has not been charged in the case, though the chief said previously he hasn't been ruled out as a suspect.

Caldwell County Court records show that Bentley filed a complaint May 13 against Elisa Baker, claiming she threatened to kill her and her young daughter in a dispute over money. She said Elisa Baker threatened them with a stun gun and a gun, and Bentley feared for their lives.

Ten days later, Yount said in her complaint that Elisa Baker made verbal threats against her child.

"She said my daughter and other girls were talking about her daughter. That wasn't true. She just started screaming and shouting and threatening to hit everybody," Yount said.

The ransom note found Saturday was the first sign that officers were faced with something more sinister. Zahra was reported missing that afternoon. The stepmother said she last saw Zahra sleeping in her room about 12 hours earlier, though Adkins has indicated he doesn't believe the timeline the couple gave him.

Officers investigated a yard fire at the girl's home hours before she was reported missing. Near the burnt limbs and grass, the note had been left on the windshield of the car belonging to Adam Baker.

It was addressed to Adam Baker's boss, though police quickly determined that man's family was safe.

Other neighbors say they also feared for the girl's safety.

"There were warning signs along the way, but you never want to think the worst," said former neighbor Kayla Rotenberry.

Her fiance, Bobby Green, said an investigator from the Department of Social Services visited the Bakers' house a few months ago: "I saw him when he knocked on their door. He said they were looking into whether the girl was being beaten."

The agency didn't return a phone message Tuesday.

Adam Baker was from Australia, and met his current wife over the Internet, a family friend said. Zahra's mother lives outside the U.S.

GMA video and article from this morning. MORE neighbors from Sawmill that saw abuse taking place and did NOTHING!!!

I am signing off to go outside, take a hike and scream for awhile.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/zahra-baker-case-cops-search-wood-chipper-mulch/story?id=11868397

I actually meant to quote you in the above post (the NOT special). Sorry, I have no idea how I messed up.

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13297637

Searchers look in brush pile for missing girl, stepmother to appear in court
Posted: Oct 09, 2010 7:05 PM PDT Updated: Oct 13, 2010 6:40 AM PDT


BURKE COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - Sheriff's deputies plan to resume searching a brush pile just north of Morganton Wednesday morning for any clues concerning a missing 10-year-old girl, and her stepmother, who police call a person of interest in the case, is scheduled to appear in court.

The search site is located in an area where a tree trimming company dumps tree limbs and other debris.  It is located off Hartland Road near Bristol Creek Avenue.

Officials searched the area late Tuesday night and ended their search on Wednesday around 1 a.m.  The pile of debris is about 100 feet by 50 feet.

Workers are using heavy machinery to pick up the debris and examine it.  Sheriff's deputies are expected to resume their search Wednesday after 9 a.m.

 ::monkeyscissors::

Perhaps they could move Adam a bit CLOSER to the wood chipper............I bet he'd talk.......................
This is out of character for me, but it is how I feel right now so I am going to own it.
Thanks you for the info posted and especially the timeline.
Lord, please hold Zahra closely.

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2010/oct/13/8/investigators-search-burke-site-again-ar-453434/

Published: October 13, 2010
Updated: October 13, 2010 - 6:52 AM

Investigators search Burke site again
By Richard Gould

MORGANTON --

Tuesday night, Hickory police cars and a Hickory City brush truck with hydraulic grappling arm arrived at the property of Real Tree Services as authorities again searched the property looking for the body of 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker.

Tuesday night, Hickory police cars and a Hickory City brush truck with hydraulic grappling arm arrived at the property of Real Tree Services as authorities again searched the property looking for the body of 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker.

Burke County EMS crews arrived in the twilight towing portable floodlights to illuminate the search that neighbors thought was complete after officers spent two days looking for Zahra. The vehicles made their way past a Burke County deputy posted to keep people out of the crime scene about 100 yards past his patrol cruiser.

Investigators are looking through a 50-foot-by-100-foot brush pile with the truck. Neighbors had speculated the truck would be used to search under piles of wood chips on the property where Real Tree Services keeps its heavy equipment and wood chipper.

News crews milled around while a news helicopter flew in slow circles overhead. They were all waiting for what had come to seem inevitable.

Hickory Police Chief Adkins arrived on the search scene at 9 p.m. and did not address the media.

The man who helped Adam Baker, Zahra’s father, get his job working for the tree trimming and lawn maintenance crew was at the scene. Bobby Green said he lived next door to the Bakers in Sawmills and his three children used to go to the Bakers' home to play with Zahra.

Now he thinks the Bakers may have murdered their daughter, and he wonders if he put his children in harm's way by letting them visit the Bakers' home.

He described Zahra's mother, Elisa Baker, as a mean woman who could not be trusted.

"I think she's evil. She lied about everything all the time," he said. "She had a short fuse, especially with Zahra, because she was jealous of the time she spent with her father."

Green said Elisa was physically abusive toward her stepdaughter and suspects she's behind Zahra's disappearance. He added that he suspects that Adam Baker may also be involved in the crime.

Many now wonder if Adam Baker was involved in his daughter’s murder.

Baker’s boss doesn’t think so.

But Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said he hasn’t ruled out any suspects.

Fred Causby is the foreman for Real Tree Services and operates the company from his home on Hartland Road north of Morganton. He hired Baker as a laborer about six months ago.

“He started in March or April,” Causby said. “He’s just a hard working individual.”

Saturday Causby gave his permission for law enforcement to search his property with a K-9 unit. He said they were looking for Zahra’s remains on his industrial wood chipper and a 4-foot high pile of wood chips.

Causby said the dog alerted on the chipper and the pile but two days of intense searching by a combined force of Hickory police, Burke County deputies, SBI agents and FBI agents failed to turn up any evidence.

“I thought it was a waste of time when they came out to search,” he said in the afternoon before authorities returned Tuesday night. “I have a difficult time believing this. I like to think I’m a pretty good judge of people, and I’d like to think I’m still not wrong.”

He described Baker as a quiet man, a self-directed worker who can be funny at times and tells stories about working on a sod farm and a sugar mill in his native Australia.

Causby met Elisa Baker a couple of times when she’d come to pick her husband up after work and those brief encounters left him feeling unsettled.

“He (Baker) may not have had good judgment,” Causby said referring to the woman Baker met on the Internet and moved to America to wed. “I think the elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top. She seemed very controlling.”

Causby’s not the only one with that impression. Family members say they suspect Zahra’s stepmother physically abused her.

Brittany Bentley, who lives in Granite Falls, is married to Elisa Baker’s nephew and told CBS’ “Early Show” her suspicions Tuesday. She said she would have Zahra over for weekends and knew something was wrong.

Zahra “was locked in her room, allowed five minutes out a day to eat, that was it,” Bentley said. “She was beat almost every time I was over there for just the smallest things. Elisa would get mad, she would take it out on Zahra, things the kid didn’t deserve. She just had a horrible home life.”

http://www.whky.com/news.asp?mode=detail&articleID=13843

Search for Zahra Baker continues, candlelight service to be held Wednesday
10/12/2010 8:49:04 PM

The search for missing 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker continued last night as authorities have been in the Chesterfield and Gamewell areas of Highway 18, between Morganton and Lenoir, north of the Foothills Regional Airport.

Investigators are searching the Heartland Road area, on the job site of the girl's father, Adam Baker.  Cadaver dogs reportedly got a hit on a wood chipper on site.  WHKY will continue to update this story as more details develop.

A candlelight service for Zahra Baker will be held this evening (October 13) at 6:30 p.m. on the playground at East Hickory Baptist Church.  The service is open to the public.  The church is located at 130 16th Street S.E. in Hickory.  For more information, contact the church at 828-328-9507. 

That's a great idea Tolerance.

Klass when you have a minute could you please put the link to the dating site that dad and Elisa were on?  Thanks

http://www.imvu.com/

It's a 3D chat site. From the page:


IMVU is a social network and 3D virtual world where millions of people meet, chat and have fun in animated 3D scenes. You can shop and dress up your avatar with your own personalized look, design and decorate your own 3D space, and connect with new people from around the world.

Do these people not have the number to 911?

 ::MonkeyMad::

Thank-you, I was desperately trying to explain this to my daughter, and just didn't know how  ::MonkeyHaHa:: She wanted to see what that is all about. I honestly don't know what to say about that  ::MonkeyEek::

For the people that witnessed abuse and did not report it should be fined....I know thats impossiable...but if they are now saying they saw it

take place and said nothing" Shame on You"  its is the responiablity of people in the education filed and medical field to report, so it should be

everyone's place to report . ....jmo...need more coffee.

I don't see how they have the nerve to show their faces. And they don't seem to be ashamed or anything. I saw 2 girls on last night's news just talking away about it. I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

www.IMVU.com

I went for a walk in the woods behind my house and screamed a couple times. Very cathartic for the soul.
------------------


 The stepmother who police call a person of interest in the disappearance of a Hickory girl appear in court Wednesday morning while search crews continued searching for the girl in a brush pile just north of Morganton.

Elisa Annette Baker, 42, seemed distraught and spoke softly when she appeared in Burke County Court Wednesday morning for an obstruction of justice charge.

She asked for a court-appointed attorney and was given a November 3rd court date.  She is being held on a $40,000 bond at the Catawba County jail.

In court Wednesday morning, the judge asked Baker if she understood the charges against her.  She replied, "Yes."  The judge also asked if she understood that she doesn't have to speak to anyone except her attorney.
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13297637




A local at @WS heard that wcnc....search has ended in Burke County....focus back on Hickory with more evidence found.

From her myspace:

http://www.myspace.com/gothicfairy6668/stream/7

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub9%20June%202010/ElesaMood100510.jpg)

This forum moves so fast...I can't keep up. Sorry if this has been posted.....it is dated today

Search to resume for missing N.C. girl; stepmom in courtBy the CNN Wire Staff
October 13, 2010 11:08 a.m. EDT

Zahra Clare Baker was reported missing over the weekend, but authorities believe she could have disappeared a month ago.

The search lasted until about 3 a.m. Wednesday, according to CNN affiliate WSOC, and authorities plan to continue searching the same area after taking a break for a few hours.

Flanked by two attorneys, Elisa Baker, Zahra's stepmother, wore a bright pink jumpsuit and was handcuffed and chained at her wrist and ankles at her court appearance Wednesday. She was informed of the felony charge against her, which carries a penalty of more than two years in prison upon conviction. Asked if she understood, she replied she did in a low voice.

The bond on this charge is $40,000, in addition to the bond of more than $30,000 she faces on charges unrelated to Zahra's disappearance. Her attorney said he would be filing a motion to get the obstruction of justice charge reduced, calling it "excessive." She is next scheduled to have a probable cause hearing on November 3.

Elisa Baker was charged with obstruction of justice Tuesday after police said she admitted writing a ransom note found at the family's Hickory home.

During the search overnight, Zahra's emotional father, Adam Baker, was on the scene.

"He seems concerned," Burke County Sheriff John T. McDevitt said. "But I don't know how sincere his concern is."

Zahra was reported missing about 2 p.m. Saturday. Police have said her father and stepmother reported she was last seen sleeping in her bed about 12 hours earlier, at 2:30 a.m.

But Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said Tuesday authorities have been unable to find anyone outside Zahra's immediate family who has reported seeing her in the past month, and investigators are not sure how long she has actually been missing. He told reporters an Amber Alert issued after the girl was reported missing was being canceled, and the investigation has shifted from a possible abduction into a homicide probe.

Investigators were searching where Adam Baker worked north of Hickory, said Nancy Webb, who lives next door to the site, on Tuesday.

Adam Baker would help his employer bring piles of wood and brush to the lot, where it was dumped into a wood chipper and turned into mulch, Webb said.

"They've got a lot of lights out back of the house. It looks like they are doing a search around a brush pile, and that's all that I can see from the house here," Webb told HLN's "Nancy Grace."

Elisa Baker admitted writing the note Monday night during an interview at the jail where she is being held on worthless check charges, Adkins said. She then requested a lawyer, he said. Police obtained an arrest warrant for her on the obstruction of justice charge.

A search warrant application filed in the case said it began with a call about a burning mulch pile at the home about 5:30 a.m. Saturday. Firefighters found a Chevrolet Tahoe with its passenger door open and a power company envelope with handwriting on it on the front windshield, the search warrant said.

Firefighters notified police, who approached the SUV and smelled gasoline coming from inside. The note written on the envelope was addressed to a "Mr. Coffey," identified in the search warrant as Adam Baker's boss, Mark David Coffey.

"Mr. Coffey, you like being in control now who is in control," the note said, according to the search warrant. "We have your daughter and your pot smoking red head son is next unless you do what is asked 1,000,000 unmarked will be in touch soon." In the bottom right, the note said, "no cops," according to the warrant.

Coffey and his only daughter were at the residence at the time of the fire, the warrant said. CNN affiliate News 14 Carolina reported Coffey owns the home.

Adam Baker called police about 2 p.m., saying someone had poured gas in his car and left a note saying they had his boss' daughter, according to the search warrant. Baker told police he believed the person who left the note had kidnapped Zahra.

The Bakers consented to a search of their home, the warrant said. A cadaver dog indicated the possible presence of human remains in or on the Chevrolet Tahoe as well as a burgundy Toyota Camry on the property, it said. Authorities were testing swabs taken from the Tahoe to determine if blood was also present, according to the warrant.

Zahra -- a bone cancer survivor, according to CNN affiliate WCNC -- uses a prosthetic leg and hearing aids. The hearing aids have been found, but not the prosthesis, Adkins said.

Elisa Baker, the stepmother, was arrested Sunday morning on four counts of writing worthless checks, said Eric Farr, a spokesman for the Catawba County district attorney's office. Farr said she faces other charges in different counties, including a felony larceny count and other bad-check charges. She was being held on $31,500 bail.

Her court-appointed attorney on the felony charge, Jared Amos of Morganton, North Carolina, said Tuesday he could not comment on other charges.

Adkins said Adam Baker faces similar charges, but police have held off serving an arrest warrant while he cooperates with investigators. And police said in a statement they are "working several leads, specifically addressing Zahra's life before she disappeared."

Brittany Bentley, who is married to Elisa Baker's nephew, told HLN that the girl "wasn't in very good living conditions, not at all for a 10-year-old."

"I remember Elisa coming out of the bedroom one day, saying her hands hurt from spanking Zahra so much," she said. "I know she spanked way too hard, what I consider beating." She said the girl was locked in her room and "I know about letting her out five minutes, just to eat and that was it."

North Carolina social services officials declined to comment on the case.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/13/north.carolina.missing.girl/index.html?eref=rss_mostpopular&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_mostpopular+%28RSS%3A+Most+Popular%29

Thank-you

Thanks Pink Angel and everyone else for the updates last evening and this morning.

Had to log off last night because I was overwelhmed with feelings.  Anger, sadness, disgust, etc.  I just can not stomach the thought about a wood chipper being involved..what kind of human being can do that to another? 

I hope her father confesses soon.  I just know that he is in on the hiding of her body.  I know he knows she has been gone longer then Saturday. 

If people were afraid of this woman, and rightly so with her taser, guns and fists..then they all should have filed complaints with LE and DSS. 

This so called GothMom deserves nothing less then to burn in He!! 

There are a lot of people in the community where I live that are like that.  A lot of them are inbred, uneducated, and heavy substance abusers.  I believe abuse is commonplace.  That is no excuse, just an explanation.  Yes, I wish there were a way to fine people who do not report abuse. 

I fear what I would do, if I saw abuse taking place.

And also just don't want to get involved, they don't want the police bothering them, and the biggest thing drugs. It is a downward spiral that is happening, I just don't know what to say.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

We are here, Desi, we are here.

The atty on SM obstruction charge wants a bail reduction because it is an excessive amount. He says that she is scared to death in jail.
Good I hope the other women in jail make her life as frightening as she made Zahra's. When she is scared enough maybe she'll tell where little Zahra is hidden.

I would like to address the homeschooling issue that so many have been bringing up. Yes, I believe that Elisa homeschooled Zahra in an effort to cover abuse. HOWEVER, this does not mean that all homeschooling parents are abusive. There were a couple of comments in the last thread that almost made it sound like that is the only reason to homeschool. There is a stereotype that homeschooled children aren't socialized and never leave the house. This case doesn't help that any. As homeschooled kids, my girls participate in 4H, AWANA, field trips, the church, zoo school, the grange, sports, and many other activities. Please don't assume that because a child is educated at home that they are a victim of something sinister.

Friends say missing NC girl's stepmother was angry

HICKORY, N.C. (AP) -- To relatives and former neighbors, Elisa Baker had a short fuse. In interviews and court documents, they portrayed her as nasty-tempered and willing to use a gun or her fists to settle an argument and say her disabled stepdaughter usually bore the brunt of her rage.

Investigators said Tuesday they believe someone killed 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker, who was reported missing over the weekend. Baker showed no emotion in court Wednesday as a judge explained she could be sentenced to up to 30 months in prison if convicted of obstruction of justice. She is accused of trying to throw off investigators with a fake ransom note.

Baker's court-appointed attorney, Scott Reilly, said she was "scared to death" and very emotional about everything.

"She's upset about being held in jail. She's upset about being away from her family," he said.

Friends described a different side of Baker.

"She was always beating her," former neighbor Karen Yount said Tuesday. "I told her to stop but she wouldn't listen to anyone. That poor girl."

Police said the search for Zahra had shifted to a homicide investigation, canceling a missing child alert for the shy but upbeat girl who used hearing aids and a prosthetic leg because of bone cancer.

District Attorney James Gaither Jr. said he couldn't discuss details about the case.

"I'm upset. The facts are disturbing. You saw the images, she is such a darling child," Gaither said.

Elisa Baker is the only person accused in the case so far. Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said she was charged with felony obstruction of justice after admitting she wrote the note, which asked for $1 million. She had already been in jail since the weekend on unrelated charges. Adkins said Baker has asked for an attorney, but none had been assigned late Tuesday.

At a news conference, Adkins said police can't find anyone outside the household who has seen Zahra alive in the last month. That uncertainty has stymied efforts to search for her, despite offers from volunteers in the city of 40,000 about 50 miles northwest of Charlotte.

"We understand the public wants to help find Zahra. The problem is we cannot confirm with any confidence how long Zahra has been missing," he said. "Without this information, we cannot positively select the area to search for her."

Zahra's father, Adam Baker, has said it was possible his wife could be involved in the disappearance, and other relatives echoed those remarks.

"I just think this was something for a long time that we knew was going to happen, everybody that was close to the family," relative Brittany Bentley said on CBS' "Early Show" on Tuesday.

Bentley, who is married to Elisa Baker's nephew, said she would have Zahra over for weekends and the girl would get angry when it was time to return home. The girl was being home-schooled, but had attended public schools in the past, police said.

Zahra "was locked in her room, allowed five minutes out a day to eat, that was it," Bentley said. "She was beat almost every time I was over there for just the smallest things. Elisa would get mad, she would take it out on Zahra, things the kid didn't deserve."

Adkins did not take any questions or further explain why the case was being treated as a homicide probe. A search warrant revealed on Monday that police dogs detected the smell of human remains on cars belonging to the father and stepmother.

Adam Baker has not been charged in the case, though the chief said previously he hasn't been ruled out as a suspect.

Caldwell County Court records show that Bentley filed a complaint May 13 against Elisa Baker, claiming she threatened to kill her and her young daughter in a dispute over money. She said Elisa Baker threatened them with a stun gun and a gun, and Bentley feared for their lives.

Ten days later, Yount said in her complaint that Elisa Baker made verbal threats against her child.

"She said my daughter and other girls were talking about her daughter. That wasn't true. She just started screaming and shouting and threatening to hit everybody," Yount said.

The ransom note found Saturday was the first sign that officers were faced with something more sinister. Zahra was reported missing that afternoon. The stepmother said she last saw Zahra sleeping in her room about 12 hours earlier, though Adkins has indicated he doesn't believe the timeline the couple gave him.

Officers investigated a yard fire at the girl's home hours before she was reported missing. Near the burnt limbs and grass, the note had been left on the windshield of the car belonging to Adam Baker.

It was addressed to Adam Baker's boss, though police quickly determined that man's family was safe.

Other neighbors say they also feared for the girl's safety.

"There were warning signs along the way, but you never want to think the worst," said former neighbor Kayla Rotenberry.

Her fiance, Bobby Green, said an investigator from the Department of Social Services visited the Bakers' house a few months ago: "I saw him when he knocked on their door. He said they were looking into whether the girl was being beaten."

The agency didn't return a phone message Tuesday.

Adam Baker was from Australia, and met his current wife over the Internet, a family friend said. Zahra's mother lives outside the U.S.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Missing-girls-stepmother-due-in-court-today-104847959.html

Police search in Burke County for remains of missing girl (with video)

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. -- Hickory Police, SBI agents, Burke County sheriff's deputies and search dogs worked through the night Tuesday, searching an area in Burke County for 10-year-old Zahra Baker's remains.

The 10-year-old bone cancer survivor was reported missing Saturday. Tuesday, police called off an AMBER Alert and officially called the case a homicide investigation.

Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, is a suspect in the case. She currently charged with felony obstruction of justice. She is no longer speaking with investigators. Her husband, Adam, has not been charged and is talking with officers, but he has not been cleared of wrongdoing.

Burke County Sheriff John McDevitt said Tuesday's intensive search off Hartland Road would last until investigators find what they are looking for or rule out the area.

On Wednesday, the Burke County sheriff said search efforts were moving back to Hickory. He did not say whether investigators found anything in Burke County.
The search represents the fourth day investigators visited the property. McDevitt said approximately 50 investigators were on scene Tuesday, watching as a backhoe cleared brush.

The land searched belongs to the family of a foreman at the tree trimming company where Zahra's father, Adam, works. It is an area where mulch, wood chips, and heavy equipment is stored. Bobby Green, a former employee of the company, says Baker would have had access there.

"There's a lot of places to get rid of somebody over here. I hope not, but this the most cohorted effort that I’ve seen in the search so far," Green said.

Alvin Webb, who lives next door, told NewsChannel 36 a deputy told him a cadaver dog smelled human remains on a mulch pile and on a wood chipper on the property. McDevitt said Tuesday night there have been "many hits" but none that he would call conclusive.

McDevitt confirmed that Adam Baker was on site with investigators. He characterized his behavior as "not exactly cooperative," adding that, in his opinion, Baker is not being truthful.

Just before noon on Tuesday, Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins called off the AMBER Alert for 10-year-old Zahra Baker and said the investigation had turned into a homicide investigation. Adkins also said that Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, had admitted to writing a ransom note found during a search for clues in the case, and had been charged with obstruction of justice. Elisa Baker was already in jail, having been arrested on charges unrelated to the disappearance on Sunday.

The timeline for the case is blurry.

Zahra was reported missing on Saturday, but police say it's been over a month since anyone other than the girl's father and stepmother has seen her. Elisa Baker says she saw Zahra sleeping at 2:30 a.m. Saturday.  Adam Baker says he last saw his daughter the Thursday before was reported missing.

Green said he visited the home weeks ago, but Elisa Baker told him Zahra was sick and couldn't leave her room.

"Outside the immediate family, we cannot confirm that anyone has seen Zahra in the last month,” Chief Adkins said.

That includes next-door neighbor Charles Bost, who says Zahra's father and stepmother, Adam and Elisa Baker, chatted with him in the yard once or twice and mentioned their dog.

But, he says, in the month and a half the Baker's lived here, they never mentioned a daughter.

"I didn't even know that she existed. I mean I've never seen her and I never heard him mention her or anything like that,” Bost said.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/Police-searching--104818544.html

Aw, she's scared? How does she think Zahra felt?
Both these so-called parents are guilty.
The father needs to be behind bars too, before he takes off.

::MonkeyAngel:: I sure don't we had neighbors who homeschooled three children, and the kids were polite, well mannered and well adusted.

Stepmother Of Missing Girl Makes Court Appearance

HICKORY, N.C. -- Investigators said Tuesday they believe someone killed 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker, who was reported missing over the weekend.

The girl's stepmother, Elisa Baker, appeared in court at the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton on Wednesday, accused of trying to throw off investigators with a fake ransom note.

Baker's attorney requested that her bond be reduced as he feels that an obstruction of justice charge is not a $40,000 bond.

On Tuesday, police said the search for Zahra had shifted to a homicide investigation, canceling a missing child alert for the shy but upbeat girl who used hearing aids and a prosthetic leg because of bone cancer.

Elisa Baker is the only person accused in the case so far. Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said she was charged with felony obstruction of justice after admitting she wrote the note, which asked for $1 million.

She had already been in jail since the weekend on unrelated charges. Adkins said Baker has asked for an attorney, but none had been assigned late Tuesday.

MORE...

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/25368912/detail.html

Images of the search last night
http://www.wsoctv.com/slideshow/news/25377460/detail.html

Perhaps it's this amount because she has a long record of not appearing in court. ::MonkeyMad::

CHOPPER: Crews Search Debris For Clues

http://www.wsoctv.com/video/25373378/

Thanks for those images  ::MonkeyNoNo:: obviously dad is there at the scene because he must have said something, IMO.  This is what I'm trying to understand, Elisa was so abusive to this baby, and dad what is up with him? Was he afraid of Elisa, was he also beating Zahra, did he enjoy watching Elisa beat her, what is it? Did Elisa have some super powers over this man where he lost all decency and allowed this? I could vomit when I see a picture of dad, just another disgusting person along with his wife.

Crews Search Late Into the Night for Clues in Zahra Baker Case

http://www.wsoctv.com/video/25373409/

I just looked at this woman's myspace... ::MonkeyMad::.  This woman is 42 years old...now we see what happens to gothics when they grow up...just the fact that Zahra's dad picked this woman to be his partner and a mother figure for his child clues me into his own psyche.  Look at the T-shirt he was wearing for the interview...two skulls and the words vengeance written across it.  Both of these adults dressing like teenage anarchists.  That poor baby...she was the only grace between those two. 

Yes he is just as disgusting if not more so.  Yesterday I would not (or could not) believe that a Dad could be with his daughter while she fought cancer, lost a leg, lost her hearing, relocated to the US to be with stepmonster and then just turned off his protective parent switch to where Zahra meant nothing.  It was too hard for me to even try to comprehend.  After some time away , a few screams and many tears I agree that he is WORSE then stepmonster.  HE brought his daughter into the situation as I am sure Zahra would be quite content still living in Aussie with Grandma Karen.  HE was her father, supposed to protect her, supposed to stand up for her.  HE is a waste of skin IMO.

Many young people grow out of the goth thing, I know. There is much more going on with these two beings besides goth and skull shirts. Drug addicted, sadists, with no respect for human life.....

I too home school.  I have many reasons and honestly love it.  With church, CCD classes, dance, fencing, swimming, etc, they are not only well socialized, they are seen ( or heard ; boys can be loud ) several times a day.  But I do understand the fears and concerns of others.  Having worked for CPS I know how a child can be isolated and abused / neglected.  Thank you for adding your voice.

Terri

Missing Hickory girl's stepmother appears in court

(http://media.wcnc.com/images/101310-Elisa+Baker+Court+02.jpg)

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Missing-girls-stepmother-due-in-court-today-104847959.html

The thought of this waste has me haunted, I can't even begin to figure out how this waste went through all this with his daughter and allowed all this to happen, I'm glad that I can't figure it out, I would be afraid if I could  ::MonkeyNoNo::

I have a visceral reaction to this photo.

more images from court today
http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Missing-girls-stepmother-due-in-court-today-104847959.html

::MonkeyNoNo::  Meth or crack? Just a waste of air.

(http://a.abcnews.com/images/GMA/ht_zahra_101013_mn.jpg)

A new photograph of missing 10-year-old Zahra Baker with a bruise under her eye surfaced today as the search for her body focused on a wood chipper and mulch piles for any sign of her remains.

The missing North Carolina 10-year-old, who lost her left leg and hearing in a battle with childhood cancer, is seen in a dimly lit cell phone image with what Baker family friend Brandy Stapleton called a visible bruise under her right eye. Stapleton said she took the photo, obtained exclusively by ABC News, on Aug. 9 -- the last day she saw the little girl.

Stapleton said on that day, Zahra seemed down and so she decided to take a picture to cheer her up. Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, initially told her not to take the picture, Stapleton said, because Zahra's eye was bruised. But Stapleton insisted because she wanted to see the little girl smile.


http://abcnews.go.com/US/zahra-baker-case-cops-search-wood-chipper-mulch/story?id=11868397

I am in the same place. 

Just look at her face and think that is probably the last thing Zahra saw.

OMG you can not dispute that black eye.  Zahra is still smiling as best she can, what a sweet angle  ::MonkeyAngel:: .  Going outside to scream some more. 

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/10/13/authorities-search-home-missing-north-carolina-girl-childs-remains/?test=latestnews (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/10/13/authorities-search-home-missing-north-carolina-girl-childs-remains/?test=latestnews)

Authorities Search Home of Missing North Carolina Girl for Child's Remains

Published October 13, 2010 | FoxNews.com

Authorities in North Carolina searched the home of a missing girl into the early morning hours Wednesday, looking for any remains of the child a day after her stepmother confessed to writing a fake ransom note in her disappearance.

Searchers worked under floodlights to scour the Burke County, N.C., property where 10-year-old Zahra Baker lived with her father and stepmother, Adam and Elisa Baker, the Charlotte ******* reports.

Police charged Elisa Baker with felony obstruction of justice on Tuesday after she admitted to writing a ransom note found on the windshield of one of the family's vehicles. Authorities believe that the note, which was addressed to Adam Baker's boss and which demanded $1 million, was designed to throw investigators off track in their search for Zahra.

Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said Elisa Baker confessed under police interrogation to writing the note and had requested an attorney. She is being held in the Catawba County jail on $74,000 bond on unrelated charges and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday for an initial hearing on the charges.

Adkins said the confession prompted authorities to shift their search from a missing person's case to a "homicide investigation."

K-9 units detected the scent of human remains on the Baker's property on Monday, a police search warrant revealed. Residents reportedly told the Charlotte ******* that search dogs picked up on the scent of blood at the site.

The newspaper reports that investigators used backhoes and other equipment late Tuesday to search the home and surrounding woods, focusing on a 50-foot-wide pile of mulch.

Adkins said at a news conference Tuesday that he "cannot confirm with any confidence how long Zahra has been missing."

"We can't confirm anyone has seen Zahra within the past month," Adkins said. "Without this information, we cannot positively select the area to search for her."

Zahra, described by neighbors as an upbeat girl who was battling bone cancer that left her with a prosthetic leg and hearing aids, was reported missing Saturday afternoon -- nearly 12 hours after Elisa Baker said she last saw her sleeping in her room.

Elisa Baker was already being detained after she was arrested Sunday on a dozen charges unrelated to Zahra's disappearance -- including communicating threats, writing worthless checks, larceny and driving with a revoked license.

Adam Baker said during a morning TV interview on Monday that it was possible his wife could be involved in the disappearance, which was reported after a fire in the home's yard.

"I hate to say it but I don’t feel good about this," said a family friend who spoke to FoxNews.com on condition of anonymity. "I really think Elisa had something to do with it."

Elisa Baker told her husband she last saw Zahra sleeping in her bed at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, about 2 1/2 hours before the fire was reported. Adam Baker said he was panicked after the fire, but didn't immediately check on his daughter.

Zahra, who is home-schooled, had two hearing aids, both of which were left at the house. Police said the girl also has a prosthetic leg from the knee down. 

Family friends described the girl as shy but constantly smiling, in spite of her health problems.

To relatives and former neighbors, Elisa Baker had a short fuse. In interviews and court documents, they portrayed her as nasty-tempered and willing to use a gun or her fists to settle an argument and say her disabled stepdaughter usually bore the brunt of her rage.

"She was always beating her," former neighbor Karen Yount said Tuesday. "I told her to stop but she wouldn't listen to anyone. That poor girl."

Kayla Rotenberry, a former neighbor, said she and her fiance were good friends with the Bakers when they lived in the nearby town of Sawmills, and saw Zahra often. About six months ago she noticed that Elisa Baker's hand was swollen, Rotenberry said.

"She told me that she was trying to spank Zahra, but hit her on her prosthetic leg," she said. "When Adam asked her about the injury, she said she fell and hurt her hand. She didn't want him to know. She knew he would be mad."

Another former neighbor, Brandy Stapleton, 22, of Lenoir, said that Elisa Baker told her the same story about how she injured her hand. "She wasn't the person everyone thought she was."

Adam Baker is from Australia, and met his current wife over the Internet, Stapleton said. Zahra's mother lives outside the U.S.

Click here for more on this story from the Charlotte *******

Click here for more on this story from WRAL.com

I agree, NRCG...looking at the stepmother's picture...she looks much older than 42, so I can see drug addiction and carrying the gothic realm into her later years and the rumored abuse on Zahra...probably sadism, too. 

It is just so frustrating...these beautiful little babies that others would love to have and love and hold and cherish...so many children treated worse than any living thing deserves...these innocent little lives were gifted to these monsters.  And these monsters walk among us.

There is NO way gothmother could have hidden this flagrant abuse from Zahra's gothfather.

Her whole face looks swollen.
The article continues by saying Gothmother said Zahra was clumsy......................

I just have no more words and my thoughts are haunting me.

I can't even put the words out there to tell you what is in my head right now.  She had no advocate.  Everyone failed her, everyone.  Not one person cared to talk to her even on a weekly basis, no one.  They all make me sick.  Every last one of them.

 ::MonkeyMad:: ::MonkeyMad:: ::MonkeyMad::

Once again they are lining up at ABC news to make money on the back of another dead baby. ::MonkeyMad:: Why didn't she just turn it over to police when this entire horror was exposed.

Oh my poor 'Gothic Fairy' has to wear a pink jumpsuit...goths hate pink [my daughter was through her teen years and thankfully outgrew it.]

TY Everyone for the updates and links...

This is so sad. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about Zahra.  ::MonkeyAngel::

I would have loved to have had her, and know many other Monkeys would have too.

I am praying for justice...hope also that the dad isn't allowed to go back to Australia.

I apologize that I appeared to snap like that. It is horrible enough when a person is missing or killed and they are healthy, this is just beyond belief, and can't even think about what all happened to this child. I do have a horrible thought that step mom beat Zahra with the prosthetic leg, because of what people have reported about her hand being swollen from spanking and hitting the prosthetic.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

Omg, I was reading before I logged in ..

I too had to go take a walk outside ..and stare at my trees ... took deep breathes
And now reading the last presser that Klaas just posted

More Neighbors coming forward making statements that Elisamonster would BEAT Zahra, that they knew she was a chronically abused child at the mercy of the Elisamonster...

What is wrong with these People ? Did they think that " Someone Else" was going to come to Zahra's Rescue? Did they think Zahra could take on this Evil Woman all by her self..

I may have to go back outside.. I am so mad, my hands are shaking attempting to type this.
 ::MonkeyMad::

::MonkeyEek:: I never even thought about that, if he isn't a US citizen, could he be sent back to Australia?

Good  Afternoon Monkeys and guests!

www.wsoctv.com

Search in the wood and mulch piles has been suspended for the time being. Other leads being followed. Per the noon newscast!
I can think of no punishment bad enough for these two pos.

Thank-you

If he is charged and convicted after he serves his sentence he can be deported back to Australia. If he isn't charged or convicted he is free to stay or leave as he chooses.

Hi Monks. thanks to everyone who is posting all the new updates.....I have been reading but I have nothing to add to the remarks and opinions.......everyone failed this child.....and all these people who are not so eager to talk to the press.....they make me sick.....they could have saved this child's and didn't...I hope none of them ever have a peaceful night's sleep again.......EVER.  The contract with watching the joy in seeing the miners being brought up and the search for this child is heartbreaking.

Search expands for missing Charlotte girl, Zahra Baker. 10


Searchers worked under the glare of floodlights late into the night Tuesday, scouring property in Burke County for answers to the puzzling disappearance of 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker.

Meanwhile, in Newton, the stepmother of the missing girl appeared in court to face felony charges related to the case.

The focus of what Hickory police Chief Tom Adkins calls a "homicide investigation" seems to have moved to the wooded property off Hartland Road, north of Morganton. Residents told reporters Tuesday that search dogs have picked up the scent of blood at the site.

It is unclear if the search will be resumed this morning.

Eli8sa Baker, Zahra's stepmother, appeared in court to face charges in connection with her admission she wrote a bogus ransom note.

Baker wore a pink jumpsuit and was shackled at her wrists and legs. She answered Judge Gregory Hayes with only quiet "yes" and "no" responses when asked whether she understood the charges against her, or if she had any questions for him.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/10/13/101986/search-expands-for-missing-charlotte.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_term=news

Thank-you

This is the most distubing case I have seen in a long while.  I went to bed sick to my stomach after I had caught up reading.

What the hell is wrong with some of the people in the world today???

I hope these bastards, both of them , burn in hell for all eternity.  You KNOW the father had to have seen those bruises and had to have know how stepmonster treated that girl.

If my hubby would have ever laid a hand like that on any of our children I would be living at the local womens prison. What was wrong with this man?  How could he let someone treat his child that way?

God bless Zahra.

VIDEO: Elisa Baker Makes Court Appearance

http://www.wsoctv.com/video/25378443/

My stomach is in knots just thinking of the horror that b**** put little Zahra through.  IMO the SM & Dad are complicent in this.  There is no way the Dad didn't know what happened.  The whole story stinks to high heaven.

I have a question about questioning by the police.  They can still question her - right?  But with her lawyer there... 

I also wonder how much the Dad has been questioned.  He seems like the one to break to me. I think the police are kinda being "friendlier" towards him in hopes of him either slipping up or spilling the beans.  It sure didn't take long for him to "suspect" his wife.  It is all so very disgusting. 

Poor Zahra....She fought so hard to live and now this.

JMO
i think E beat Zahra to death, head injury,organ injury, those types of injuries,if sever
enough on a small body could result in death,but i dont understand why AB is covering
for E, maybe the sickos decided to make the most of the situation because of insurance
money they/he has on Zahra
the whole dam thing is mind boggling

I was thinking that dad and step mom were just tired of taking care of a sickly child and wanted their freedom  ::MonkeyNoNo::

I agree in the belief that SM beat Zahra to death and I believe that Zahra's prosthetic may have been the murder weapon which is why it is missing. 

TY

hey everyone how are you today? i have a ? will the fbi or who ever take the wood chippers apart to look for evidence? i havent seen any talk about that..i was thinking that would be a pretty good idea..if i remember right,there is 2 wood chippers that the dogs hit on,,if so imo they should not saying that they are not,,but i think they should take the machines apart..how do you guys feel about that??

Search for missing Zahra Baker focuses on Burke County property
Stepmother charged with obstruction after police say she admitted writing a fake ransom note to thwart investigation.


Searchers worked under the glare of floodlights late into the night Tuesday, scouring property in Burke County for answers to the puzzling disappearance of 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker.

Meanwhile, in Newton, the stepmother of the missing girl appeared in court to face felony charges related to the case.

The focus of what Hickory police Chief Tom Adkins calls a "homicide investigation" seems to have moved to the wooded property off Hartland Road, north of Morganton. Residents told reporters Tuesday that search dogs have picked up the scent of blood at the site.

It is unclear if the search will be resumed this morning.

Elisa Baker, Zahra's stepmother, appeared in court to face charges in connection with her admission she wrote a bogus ransom note.

Baker wore a pink jumpsuit and was shackled at her wrists and legs. She answered Judge Gregory Hayes with only quiet "yes" and "no" responses when asked whether she understood the charges against her, or if she had any questions for him.

Baker's attorney, Scott Reilly of Newton, standing next to her, told the judge he intends to ask for a reduction in her $40,000 bond in the case.

A half-dozen extra sheriff's office personnel filed into the courtroom shortly before her appearance to ensure order. There were no disruptions.

After the hearing, Reilly said Baker is extremely upset about being held in jail and "scared to death."

He wouldn't discuss what might have happened to Zahra, saying that he only could talk about the obstruction charge.

"I'm just not at liberty to talk about that," when asked if Baker had discussed her step-daughter with him.

MORE...

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/13/1758012/missing-girl-now-believed-to-be.html

I, too, believe they are hoping he will break.  He is definitely the weak link in this case, a weak, pitiful, poor excuse for a human being!

IMO they need to totally disassemble both chippers the dogs alerted on. I don't believe after a month they will find the mulch because it could have been used in landscaping anywhere. Hopefully evidence can be recovered from the internal parts of the equipment. ::MonkeyMad::

They need to go back to that house and search it top to bottom.  I am wondering if the scent on the woodchipper is just a transfer scent?  From her to him?  if that makes sense?  These people are dirty and there really is no way of telling how she was disposed of.   I don't think she will be far.

I think the fire was to burn evidence and set up the alibi I just don't understand the time between the two calls...why did they wait and call the police back to report her missing?  IMO there was still work to be done at that point something to be gotten rid of.

I'm glad she is scared in jail I hope she drops dead of a heart attack from her fear she deserves no less. 

Same thought...I was typing while you were posting and I agree.

Seems like a good idea, someone posted earlier about another case where many parts were found [enough to identify victim and convict killer] so unless dad was savy enough to contain the 'shreddings' [don't even know if that can be done] there should be some evidence.

Sorry to be so graphic...

Makes me sick to type these words...these words should never be in the same sentence, let alone same paragraph as a missing child.   ::MonkeyMad::

not sure if mr coffeey vid has been posted
http://www.wsoctv.com/video/25378443/index.html

I'm hoping that they completely tested everything left after the mulch fire. A reporter said he saw material in the remains of the fire so at that time it apparently was ignored.

I have to agree...from all the people reporting about gothmother's temper...this is a likely scenario.  Probably happened when gothmom last reported seeing Zahra at 2 in the morning.  God, the little peanut was probably sleeping when this monster went into her room...seeing this woman above my bed in the dark would give me nightmares. 

Raw video of court today
http://www.wbtv.com/global/category.asp?c=195957&clipId=5193863&topVideoCatNo=undefined&autoStart=true

They would if they felt the need to. I doubt that they will however.
just my opinion.


What if they mulched her and that mulch was used on assorted landscapping jobs?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/13/north.carolina.missing.girl/index.html?eref=rss_mostpopular&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_mostpopular+%28RSS%3A+Most+Popular%29

 Coffey and his only daughter were at the residence at the time of the fire, the warrant said. CNN affiliate News 14 Carolina reported Coffey owns the home.


**Does anyone understand this statement?  Was Coffey and his daughter at the Baker residence or his own residence? This statement isn't clear.

Makes me sick just thinking/typing that.

not sure if this was posted

  BAKER,ELISA ANNETTE 10/10/2010 1507 21ST Street NE HICKORY, NC 28601-  42 DWLR  $500.00 11/29/2010 06CR843   
     LARCENY BY EMPLOYEE $15,000.00 10/15/2010 2010CR 50236   
     DWLR; UNSAFE TIRES  $2,000.00 11/18/2010 09CR702308   
     SIMPLE WORTHLESS CHECK $2,000.00 11/18/2010 10CR51973   
     SIMPLE WORTHLESS CHECK $2,000.00 11/18/2010 10CR51924   
     SIMPLE WORTHLESS CHECK $2,000.00 11/18/2010 10CR 51922   
     SIMPLE WORTHLESS CHECK $2,000.00 11/18/2010 10CR 51923   
     COMMUNICATING THREATS $1,000.00 11/18/2010 10CR51352   
     COMMUNICATING THREATS   11/18/2010 10CR 51353   
     COMMUNICATING THREATS $1,000.00 11/18/2010 10CR 51259   
     COMMUNICATING THREATS   11/18/2010 10CR 51260   
     SIMPLE WORTHLESS CHECK $2,000.00 11/18/2010 10CR 51920   
     SIMPLE WORTHLESS CHECK $2,000.00 11/18/2010 10CR51921   
     DWLR;OPERATE VEH NO INS $200.00 11/18/2010 05 CR 001219   
     DWLR;FICT/CNCL/REV REG CARD/TAG $500.00 11/18/2010 04 CR 000362   
     OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE FELONY $40,000.00 10/13/2010 10 CR 056768

Thank you for all the updates.  I could not agree more that he is a waste of skin and air.  Words escape me when it comes to describing these two animals.  ::MonkeyNoNo::

I never even thought about that, I was figuring they would find Zahra in the piles of mulch there, and didn't think about the mulch being used already.

when i heard about the chippers, my brain went straight to that idea, then i had to get off
wonder if 21 21ave nw has new mulch, or maybe mr coffey yard

It was reported that when the "ransom note" was found, LE went to Coffee's house and checked on his daughter and determined she was safe at home.

Coffee and his daughter live at a different house from where the note was found.

I would think they should be able to find at least one strand of hair in the chipper.

There was a strand of Caylee's hair in Caseys car, I am praying that they will at least find a strand in the chipper. (That is so horrible.)

God Bless Zahra.

Not a citizen? I missed seeing that. She has a southern (US) accent. At least she did when she spoke on the telethon thing when Zahra received her hearing aid. She was pure down suthan ya'll. So maybe she lived briefly in Australia?

A new photograph of missing 10-year-old Zahra Baker with a bruise under her eye surfaced today as the search for her body focused on a wood chipper and mulch piles for any sign of her remains.

This photo of Zahra Baker taken by a neighbor on Aug. 9 shows the child with a bruise under her...
This photo of Zahra Baker taken by a neighbor on Aug. 9 shows the child with a bruise under her right eye. Neighbor Brandy Stapleton told ABC News she took the photo with her cell phone to cheer up the little girl and make her smile. Stapleton said Zahra was often bruised, but the girl's mother Elisa Baker would explain away the injuries by saying Zahra was clumsy.
(Courtesy Brandy Stapleton)The missing North Carolina 10-year-old, who lost her left leg and hearing in a battle with childhood cancer, is seen in a dimly lit cell phone image with what Baker family friend Brandy Stapleton called a visible bruise under her right eye. Stapleton said she took the photo, obtained exclusively by ABC News, on Aug. 9 -- the last day she saw the little girl.

Several former neighbors, along with one relative, have claimed Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, repeatedly physically abused the girl. Baker, who was already in custody on unrelated charges, admitted Tuesday to writing a $1 million ransom note in connection with the case.

After that admission, she was charged with felony obstruction of justice and appeared in court today. She is being held on $40,000 bond.

The stepmother appeared in court briefly today and answered simple "yes" and "no" to the judge's questions, ABC News' Charlotte affiliate WSOC reported.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/zahra-baker-case-cops-search-wood-chipper-mulch/story?id=11868397

The only reason I can think of for dad still being free is because if they name him or arrest him for any of his existing charges they will have to read him his rights. Then he will lawyer up and the questioning would probably cease.

http://www.myspace.com/gothicfairy6668/comments?page=1&state=126!50!2!873706!759886

Trying to establish a time line for how long this monster was  in Zahra's life

All is taken from comments from Elisa's myspace

I am going to go backwards starting with 2008

Feb 16, 2008 - EB is not in AU - posted by Adam I miss you so much

May 13, 2008 - Friend writes How is it there do you like it?

May 22, 2008 - cartoon posted by Adam to Elisa

(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k14/boxah104/life/evilparents.jpg)

July 2, and 7th 2008 - Congratulations posted by friends - Pictures are great too bad you didn't look into the camera ( my guess is they are talking about Wedding photos)

July 14, 2008 - you look so pretty I am happy for you - from Sister (sister myspace private)

August 25, 2008 - Miss you come home - friend

August 9, 2008 - got a webcam if we can figure it out we can see you - friend

October 5, 2008  - When are you coming home to NC - Sister

December 6, 2008 - Wish you would come back home to NC - Sister

December 11, 2008 - I am so excited I will see you there - Sister
( I am guess EB was coming home from AU, back to the US - everything after Jan 09 appears to be that she is back - all is jibber posts, nothing of noting)

January 20, 2010 -- posted by girl that appears to be in her early 20s

Jan 20, 2010 1:20 AM
Ay we need to get together and smke sometime this week

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/gothicfairy6668/comments?page=1&state=126!50!3!759870!405241#ixzz12G9OqZtj

--
It appears that Elisa went to AU in May 2008 and returned back to the USA in December 2008. Seems that they were married in AU as well, I wonder why she stayed so long? Was it to file papers?   

So much for I do not do drugs .. She smokes with Young girls obviously, again no boundaries.

7 Months is time enough that Zahra's Grandparents would get a good Whiff of Elisa's character. She must have put on a good show. For her Dad to remove her from her family and friends. Marriage or No Marriage, He could have left Zahra with her Grandparents in AU. With all her Doctors too, if she was in need of medical care.

hit it to soon forgot to add the brush fire too, burning the mulch

OMG, but if they were burning the mulch, would there not be a bad smell?

If Zahra has been missing for up to 6 weeks, I'm assuming this is since the physical move, due to AB's work schedule, all EB had to do was make a dummy and put it in Zahra's bed and allegedly when AB "looked in on Zahra", he'd see the dummy in the bed and figure she was asleep. 

This assuming he is NOT involved, but I have a hard time with that as witness statements claim he turned a blind eye to the abuse.  He had to be aware of it going on in the home, there were only 3 of them in the home. 

Also, that pic of Elisa with the black eye was either manufactored by Elisa or could be taken that she herself was a victim of abuse from AB.  Pecking order, shit runs downhill.

I'm also curious as to why Zahra didn't have hearing aids prior to this.

ITA..she beat her to death with the prosthetic leg..just writing that seems so sick. 

Another thought..why would she lock her in the bedroom?  That was plain stupid ..everytime she needed to use the bathroom they would have had to put her leg on and let her back out....these two had to be so drugged and so out of it most of the time. 

http://charlotte.news14.com/content/local_news/charlotte/631393/case-of-missing-girl-turns-into-homicide-investigation

link where gothmom's father insinuates she was on drugs.  gothmom's maiden name appears to be fairchild based on father's name.

I hate to say this, but it would depend on how long she had been dead whether there was a bad smell or not.  I hope they go thru that mulch pile and brush fire ashes - bone fragments may be all that is left. 

some wood smells good when burnt, cherry ,apple ,ect
there had to be a lot of fire, big pile, a garden hose couldnt contain it
AB said he was in a panic, it burned the cars, he called the HFD
maybe it was the chipper mulch and they thought burn it instead of using it
it is all just sick

That was my thought, he was at his OWN/CURRENT residence, but the article was misleading in that it sounds like he was visisting at the Baker residence.

I vote it's Meth...full of bleach, draino, etc.-and ravages a person's looks in just a matter of months.

remember the pic, of what looks like a blue tarp, in the wood
wonder if it was used to haul the mulch in the truck, and they
took it back to those wood thinking no one would look there

Just the insane ransom note and the fire in their yard was enough for me to see what bad drugs they were on. And the picture of Elisa getting into the police car, and the belligerent look on her face.

Missing girl's stepmom has first court appearance

(http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/mgmedia/image/294/0/98619/first-appearence-baker-1/)
HICKORY --
As Elisa Baker walked into the courtroom in her bubblegum pink jail-issued uniform, she looked down at the floor, her dark brown hair hiding her face from those seated in the gallery. Her hands and feet clinked in the handcuffs and shackles.

The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office brought in additional detectives and deputies for security prior to Baker coming into the courtroom.

Baker is the stepmother to Zahra Clare Baker, 10. Zahra was first reported missing at 2 p.m. Saturday, although Hickory police suspect she may have been missing longer than that. No one other than family has seen Zahra in more than a month.

On Sunday, Baker was arrested on nine unrelated charges to Zahra. Hickory police went to the Catawba County jail on Tuesday and interviewed Baker, where she admitted writing the ransom note found on one of the Bakers’ car, demanding $1 million. An arrest warrant was taken out for obstruction of justice.

When she appeared Thursday morning before Judge Greg Hayes for a first appearance on this charge, Baker kept her lips pursed much of the time, looking meek and timid.

Hayes told Baker the charge of common law obstruction of justice, a class H felony, carries with it a maximum of 30 months in jail, and asked if she understood it. She quietly said yes.

Baker had with her two attorneys — Scott Reilly, who was court-appointed for the obstruction of justice charge, and Jared Amos, who was appointed for the larceny by employee charge in Burke County.

Reilly said he planned to file a motion for bond reduction.

“Forty thousand (dollars) is in far excess for this charge,” he said.

Reilly said he would like the bond to be set closer to the $10,000 guideline for an obstruction of justice charge. He hopes the bond reduction hearing will be set as early as Monday.

Baker’s total bond is set at $72,200. This includes the obstruction of justice charge, as well as the previous charges of larceny by employee, four counts of communicating threats, four counts of driving while license is revoked, six counts of worthless checks, unsafe tires, operating a vehicle with no insurance and fictitious or revoked registration/tag.

“She’s scared to death,” Reilly said. “She’s emotional.”

He said he can’t talk about what Baker has said about Zahra.

“She’s upset with being in jail and away from her family,” Reilly said.

District Attorney Jay Gaither called the Zahra case one that has demanded the community’s utmost attention.

“This is a high priority for law enforcement and it will be a high priority for the district attorney’s office when we get it,” he said.

Gaither said it’s been emotionally straining on the community, particularly because the photos of Zahra have tugged at people’s hearts.

“The smile of Zahra sticks out,” he said. “She’s such a darling child. We fear the worst, but hope for the best.”

Baker’s probable cause hearing is set for Nov. 3.

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2010/oct/13/missing-girls-stepmom-has-first-court-appearance-ar-454588/

Her sisters, Sherry Fairchild and Vicky Baird, both said Elisa Baker often complained about fake illnesses she and her children suffered.

"She's a pathological liar and a hypochondriac," Fairchild said.

The MySpace page that shows Elisa Baker as posting blog items and photos includes one post claiming that she had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer three times and is suffering from an unidentified debilitating disease.

Baker once showed up at her father's house with an unbelievable story, says Fairchild.

"She brought her daughter around in a wheelchair saying she had leukemia," Fairchild said, and that the girl was dying. But she never got sick, Fairchild said.

Court records show Elisa Baker has been charged with some two dozen criminal offenses since the early 1990s, most of them cases of worthless checks. She has been convicted seven times of passing worthless checks.



Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/13/1758012/missing-girl-now-believed-to-be.html#ixzz12GHVNRb5


Looks like we have Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSP), a type of factitious disorder, is a mental illness in which a person acts as if an individual he or she is caring for has a physical or mental illness when the person is not really sick. People with MSP assume the role of a sick person indirectly by producing or lying about illness in another person under their care, usually a child under 6 years of age. However, cases have been reported of adult victims of MSP. (The term "by proxy" means "through a substitute.") 

Her family is already setting this mental illness up with this type of reporting.  Sadly, she latched onto a man with a sick child.

I would think so NoRose, my question is as others have said in the last few posts..

If Adam Baker is aware and knows that the chipper was used, and this was wks ago ..
He could have had that " Mulch" to his own access and used on jobs/ or took it and spread it through out the county ( so so sick)

Then to start the fire, knowing that DSS was coming again for a follow up visit. That he/scumbag wife were trying to get rid of any evidence left behind. That they thought a fire would be a way of covering their axxes. The only thing is " Fire" as in started with gasoline is not hot enough to burn remains. Not of a body anyway, not sure about " other" I can't even type it. Shattered remains.

That has been proven by other murder cases, when some one attempts to burn a body - It doesn't work.  :smt078

Thank-you Novella for that article. And thanks about the mulch and if it would smell or not, just don't know about these things  ::MonkeyNoNo::

Bentley claimed Baker had a Taser and claimed she had a gun in her car.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/13/1758012/missing-girl-now-believed-to-be.html#ixzz12GJCO4Er

Deenie but if you put a body in a wood chipper and use as mulch and start the mulch on fire are you saying there would be bone fragments found in the fire? Can't even believe this has to be discussed  ::MonkeyShocked::

I have to say that it is hard to hear this sweet child described as home schooled.  She was not home schooled at all.  She was abused, and murdered.  I have invested my life in home schooling my children, most of the 12 of them(some who came home on airplanes).  I know this girl is now home in heaven with those that love her not with an earthly family that turned their back on the blessing of Zahra that they were given.

Hickory PD is posting updates on their site.

Recent News
•10/12/2010
Hickory police continue to work diligently on Zahra Baker disappearance 10.12.2010 at 10 a.m. update
10/12/2010 10:00 am UPDATE: Hickory Police will not be providing a written update at this time. Chief Adkins will have a media briefing at Police Headquarters in the Multi-purpose Training Room at 1...
•10/11/2010
Hickory police search for 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker 10.10.10 at 11:30 a.m.
10/10/2010 1130 am On 10/09/2010, Hickory Police Officers responded to 21 21 st Ave. NW, Hickory, NC in reference to a missing child. Zahra Clare Baker (10 years old) was reported missing from her r...
•10/11/2010
Hickory police are working several leads in missing girl case update from 10.11.10 at 10:30 a.m.
10/11/2010 10:30am UPDATE: Hickory Police investigators are working several leads, specifically addressing Zahra's life before she disappeared. Investigators will be interviewing her former teachers...

http://www.hickorygov.com/department/?fDD=16-0

I wonder if they were collecting any money for Zahra's disability?  Maybe Zahra had pain meds, as well, amputees usually feel phantom pain, which would explain an easy supply of pain meds for goth mom.

"Elisa Baker was also using drugs, specifically pain medication, Baird said. A search warrant says police discovered drug paraphernalia at their Hickory home, but doesn't specify what kind."



Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/13/1758012/missing-girl-now-believed-to-be.html#ixzz12GKgnYEi

I seriously doubt Zahra was with them when they moved into their current residence. JMO.

The mobile home where that tarp pic was taken was their last residence, I believe.

It remains available for rent to this day.

I do hope that residence and grounds have been searched.

Even with a cremation there are remains, not ashes as commonly believed.

I thought about that too.  It would have a horrid smell..but if it was mixed through several piles of mulch no one might notice.  Mulch sometimes has it's own nasty smell.  Just disgusting.    This whole case is just disgusting..because no one with any morals could participate in hurting, let alone kill, a child or person with disabilities.

(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo242/Brandi-Monkey/ZahraClareBaker/Image41.png)

That is what I wondered, I can just see Elisa gobbling that child's pain pills  ::MonkeyNoNo::

Thank-you

If you watch that video with the father...I just noticed this...He says, "Everything else is just bits and pieces" in reference to his timeline...I wish there was a vomit avatar...

Thanks, just look at that drugged belligerent face  ::MonkeyNoNo::

 ::rhino:: ::rhino:: ::rhino::

And many of the pain meds you might give a child who has endured bon cancer and two buots of lung cancer could be highly additive.  I bet everytime that little Zahra was taken to the docs the Gothmother asked for pain meds for her.   

Gothmom should have the DT's by now..unless the jail medicates her and I hope they don't.  She deserves to be seeing things, hearing things, feeling like bugs are crawling under her skin..yeah..she deserves atleast that and so much more.

::MonkeyNoNo::

Right.

Contrary to popular belief, the cremated remains are not ashes in the usual sense. After the incineration is completed, the dry bone fragments are swept out of the retort and pulverized by a machine called a cremulator to process them into "ashes" or "cremated remains"[6], although pulverization may also be performed by hand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremation

And this is when the remains are burned for several hours at 1400 to 2100 °F

Novella,


I read that too. I pray this is not going to be the case here. That her atty tries to pull that card.

"Munchausen syndrome by Proxy" - that is what they diagnosed Melissa Huckaby with.
Which I do not believe for one second that MH has MSP.
Melissa Huckaby tried * (which I think is a lie) to kill herself after she murdered Sandra Cantu. Well too bad she didn't succeed. She swallowed razor blades and was admitted to the hospital. 
My guess is they were wrapped when she swallowed them. She didn't want to die, she just wanted to go to the hospital. She wanted her family to run to her side. Then while the entire community of Tracy Ca was looking for Sandra.. all she did was Text her Grandparents from the Hospital.. Did they Find Sandra? I hope she wasn't Sexually Molested?? Talk about Diabolical and Sane. 

This Elisa Baker is just plain Evil just like MH. I think she is SANE as well. 
Anyone that has a record of "all her doings" of countless charges of Frauds, Bad Checks etc ..has a clear thought process. Just like Casey Anthony.

Anyone beating a helpless " hearing impaired" little girl to the point they practically break their own hand is relentless and possibly there was countless attempts to murder Zahra.
 
I think she was at least trying to starve the poor baby. By withholding food from her. By giving her 5 mins to eat " timed".  I guess if you have little or no food in your tummy - You would not need to use the bathroom like a normal person. I wonder if she timed her for that too. Or maybe she just handed her a coffee can. I cannot imagine the amount of stress this little girl had to endure. Her body and immune system had to be so depleted. After all she had endured with the Chemo/drugs etc for years. Then Abuse -Emotional/Mental/Bodily Harm.

I think Casey Anthony may have lost her Rank as #1 Hated Woman in America.
She is bumped to 1.5 not yet ranked  #2.
 ::MonkeyMad::

"that's pretty much the whole 100% of what I know, so far...everything else is just bits and pieces coming" the father on the interview 1.47 minutes in.

he then goes on to say,  ::MonkeyShovel:: I 100% genuinely saw my daughter out of bed...would've been tuesday"

a few seconds later, "I think she was there Friday night...I opened the door...it looked like she was in the bed."

Thank-you, so the chances of bone and maybe plastic from her leg are very likely to be found. And now with the police over checking the house they live in now, wondering what they are all looking for. Dad must not be arrested yet for his warrants, so is a person suppose to assume he is somewhat helping the police, or is he taking them on a wild goose chase?

Father also states that she had a stomach virus lately...Yeah right...I bet gothmom was poisening the little baby.

OMG!!!  AFTER SEEING THIS PICTURE, IFEEL FOR SURE THIS WOMAN KILLED THIS CHILD.  SHE IS THE SPAWN OF SATAN.  SHE CANNOT HOLD HER HEAD UP AND THIS IS A SURE SIGN OF GUILT.  MAY SHE BURN IN HEL FOR WHAT SHE HAS DONE AND IF THE FATHER KNOWS, THEN HE NEEDS TO GO TOO.  WHAT DOES THE FATHER LOOK LIKE????

I have never thought that.  I wish my son could be home schooled, I just haven't found anyone who will do it.   ::MonkeyTongue::

It would be wrong to home school my son, because he has autism and school is a great place for socialization for him.  A lot of the regular activities that you mention do not take children with special needs.  In this instance, it was definitely to Zahara's detriment.  She really needed the activities that were present for her at school and also the protection school should have offered her. 

Every child is different.  I would like to say the mother knows best, but Zahara's mom has been out of her life since Zahara was 8 months old.  Like I have said over and over, I would have welcomed Zahara into my home and into my heart in an instant.  There was no reason for this.  She was not an unwanted child, everyone seemed to love her, but only as their entertainment and for her SM, her punching bag and worse.

didnt a neighbor, by the trailer say she saw Zahra, move with them
you think she was murdered, on the way to the hickory home

Here are two Novella..you have to hit the [more] button on the regular monkey page.

 :pukel: :puker:

Here is what we all want to do to GothMom:

 :smt014 :smt021

Photo of DAD
http://www.myspace.com/gothicfairy6668/photos/16296573

What is strange is the father states he first saw her tuesday, the reporter then questions him on that, he acts confused and then states he last saw her on thursday....


Lots of use of genuinely, 100%...double positives...really over the top...liars use this to make their story more plausible...the fact that he fudges on the last day he actually saw his daughter...well, I don't buy that...I bet she was last alive on Tuesday and that is actually when he last saw her...because he also stated that he was gone for work..."the bits and pieces????" Freudian slip???  I bet he remembers bits and pieces...especially when he was using the equipment to dispose of what the stepmother had done.

thanks gypsy!  And agreed.  I think one will talk...not anything like the KH or HC cases...they already have one admitting to the ransom note.

Novella that is possible. Why she would give her 5 mins to eat.

If she would not eat, she would be sent back to her room. I was thinking the same thing. I wonder what type of meals she prepared for Zahra " Special Just for Her"

If she timed her and she was starving - she would gobble it and be sent back to her prison cell of a bedroom. This Evil Swine made her eat was given to her, she had no other options.

For the DAD to say Zahra had a stomach flu ..I wonder how he would recall that if he has not been able to say "for certain" with proof the last time he " spoke to Zahra"  " Witnessed her Awake" .. or anything of the sort. How can you NOT know where your Daughter is for days, let alone weeks?

Because he does know and he is a good actor for now. He is going to screw up once he is arrested. He is going to SOB like a Baby.. and blame it all on his Wifey .. She Did IT! She controlled me ... puke puke .. She would not let me near my Daughter.

ITA Deenie.

There are some people that are just plain evil..the drugs, the alcohol only spur them onto do the things they have fantasized about.  Whatever evil lurks in this woman it has consumed her..their is no mercy, no goodness left within her soul, heart or mind.

is this E son doug procter? i prob mispelled name wrong

Doug our newest cop in the family...

http://www.myspace.com/gothicfairy6668/photos/14373269

Investigators back at scene in Burke County to search for Zahra Baker's body. Chopper 9 skyzoom on the way.

http://twitter.com/shelleyclynch

That is him.

proctor

Search for missing Zahra Baker focuses on Burke County property
Stepmother charged with obstruction after police say she admitted writing a fake ransom note to thwart investigation.


Authorities say they have finished searching a wooded area in Burke County, in their hunt for clues in the disappearance of 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker.

Up to 50 volunteers scoured the property north of Morganton twice Tuesday, working several hours past dark, in what police say is a homicide investigation. If authorities found anything related to Zahra Baker's disappearance, they weren't talking Wednesday afternoon.

MORE...

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/13/1758012/missing-girl-now-believed-to-be.html

and I just got alerted about the article that they are done searching out there   ::MonkeyConfused::

Agreed...kept her starving so she would inhale the food and would not "taste" what was really in it.  I am surprised that she didn't keep Zahra drugged up, as well...then again...she probably wanted the pills for herself.  What hell this child must have went through, what disappointment to realize that her father could not protect her...I am beyond sad.

This photo from Evils Myspace, Must be last October...

Zahra looks like the walking dead, she is soo rail thin. Is she wearing makeup? Poor baby.


 ::MonkeyNoNo::

disappointment to realize that her father could not protect her   ::MonkeyNoNo::  He could protect her, he choose not to

After Elisa hurt her hand supposedly spanking Zahra, I wonder if little Zahra was seen after that????

Police return to Burke County search site

(http://media.wcnc.com/images/101210+zahra+search+4.JPG)

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. – Hickory police say search teams have returned to the Burke County property they've previously searched in connection with the disappearance of 10-year-old Zahra Baker.

Police officers, search dogs involved in previous efforts and additional search dogs expanded the search area on Wednesday afternoon.

Tuesday, they focused investigation efforts on one area, near a brush pile.

Burke County Sheriff John McDevitt said approximately 50 investigators were on scene Tuesday, watching as a backhoe cleared brush.

The land searched belongs to the family of a foreman at the tree trimming company where Zahra's father, Adam, works. It is an area where mulch, wood chips, and heavy equipment are all stored.

Bobby Green, a former employee of the company, says Baker would have had access there.


MORE...

http://www.wcnc.com/news/Police-return-to-Burke-County-search-site-104880109.html

link to candle room for zahra

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Zahra

THE COVER-UP~seperate to what happened to Zahra.

Obviously, the brush fire in the yard was bogus.  This was very planned out.  How could they get attention to their home, and bring it out the Zahra is gone?  Hmm...

"Let's make a fire in the yard, write a bogus ransom note (and since the big boss man owns the house and he has a daughter, make it look like Zahra was taken by mistake!  The police will be so busy looking at previous renters and disgruntled employees, haha brilliant!!), then, we'll get some gas, (dump gas in the vehicle since I spilled it bringing it home and to cover up that smell) start a fire in the yard, call the Fire Dept., and leave the car door open, so the Fire Dept. observes this and finds the ransom note and we'll look like victims!!"

http://www2.wnct.com/news/2010/oct/13/5/nc-stepmother-missing-girl-appears-court-ar-454270/
By By MITCH WEISS Associated Press Writer
Published: October 13, 2010
Updated: October 13, 2010 - 2:16 PM

    HICKORY, N.C. (AP) - Officers and a police dog are searching for a missing 10-year-old North Carolina girl on a wooded lot among piles of mulch shredded by a wood chipper.
     
A law officer who asked not to be identified said police were looking Wednesday for the body of Zahra Clare Baker at several places familiar to her family.

      The property in Morganton has a chipper and other equipment belonging to the tree services company for which her father works. Seven officers and the dog were there Wednesday.

      A day earlier, police said a different dog got a "hit" at the scene but a search did not reveal anything.

      The officer asked for anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

      Police say they are treating the search as a homicide investigation. Zahra's stepmother is charged with obstruction of justice and accused of writing a fake ransom note.

To add from the side box of this article:

Elisa Baker appeared before Judge Gregory Hayes for about five minutes Wednesday morning. Hayes explained the charge and told Baker she could be sentenced to up to 30 months in prison if she is convicted.[/color]

TY for the link, I was wondering if there was one for her.

Both parents are vile but I am so sick of men letting the women fall first. They are both culpable obviously but he's a tad bit slimier.

Mariloo, with all the testimony's we have read by everyone under the sun -

Them all saying the same thing. That Elisa Baker was brutally beating Zahra on a consistent basis, I don't know who to look to for a time line of the beatings.

Too Many Shameless People that witnessed these beatings. Now they are all enjoying the limelight of their 15 mins of Fame... Oh yes, she was beaten, Oh yes she was held captive, Oh yes she was starved, Oh yes.........  :smt092

When the beating was given that Evil Swine almost broke her hand was .. I don't know the answer.

Maybe another Monkey knows.

This is kinda o/t but I was curious as to how many of you guys live in NC. If I am not being nosey just wondering that's all. Not sure if I am allowed to ask. And if I am not allowed to ask. Then I am so sorry :)

(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo242/Brandi-Monkey/ZahraClareBaker/Image82.png)

The two of them together.

I am thinking about the prosthesis that has not been found.  This will not burn all the way.  Nuts, bolts, screws, metal plates, and such would leave pieces easily found and would probably tear up a chipper if the culprit put it in there.  I think this may hae been the murder weapon.  I believe when evil stepmom spanked Zahra and hurt her hand that she made a mental note to beat the child to death with this prosthesis.  The leg must be found.  They could not have put the child in the chipper with the leg on unless they are just stupid through and through.  I hope they will put this evil stepmom in general population in the prison and let the other moms take care of her.   ::MonkeyMad::

MK so if no death scent was in the house, where
did Zahra die at, on the way to the hickory house
in the car/truck, U rent truck, i just cant phantom
the scenario, death while they were moving, i know
i read the neighbor by the trailer, said she saw Zahra
go/move with AB and EB, im going to try to find that
story

Yes, I read that. That could merely mean that the neighbor never saw Zahra after they moved.

She could have been murdered right around the time they moved.

And I think she was. JMO.

Here ya go, Novella~

(http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq24/Bdogg_01/thStewie-Throwing-Up.gif)

(http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m247/spotlifesteve/throwup.gif)

(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/toupser/cutebunnythrowup.jpg)

(http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj252/susanclark1017/BarfBag.jpg)

TY Novella...

ITA Brandi..she was murdered at the trailer.  She never made the move.  I still think they need to check the woods around the area of the trailer park.

 ::MonkeyMad:: My fingers are going faster than my brain.

With all these People offering up information that Zahra was Beaten, Held Captive, Put through literal HELL by Elisa Baker ..........

That kinda sucks for Dear Daddy Doesn't it. 

How can all these people know and yet he claims I know nothing.

Someone refresh my memory. Does anyone remember seeing a picture of Zahra with her "loving" dad.

I am not from NC..but I think it is a beautiful state..been there many times ..both to the mountains and to the beach.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/10/13/Hunt-for-missing-girl-suspended-in-NC/UPI-36211286995069/

Hunt for missing girl suspended in N.C.
Published: Oct. 13, 2010 at 2:37 PM

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 13 (UPI) -- North Carolina authorities said Wednesday they have finished searching a wooded area for a missing 10-year-old girl.

Volunteers scoured a property north of Morganton, N.C., Tuesday, working past dark in what police now term a homicide investigation, the Charlotte ******* reported. If they found any clues about Zahra Clare Baker, they did not reveal them Wednesday.

When they were asking about a court appointed lawyer I could not understand what they said about 'her only source of income is _______________________
Could anyone make it out?
Thank you.
Tol

Thanks, Monkey King...Stewie best captures what I think of gothmom

Gypsy - I'm sure they are checking there

(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo242/Brandi-Monkey/ZahraClareBaker/ZehraMyspaceDarkChild.jpg)

Just this ONE!

Interesting observation, 4 Donks.

HUSBAND

Not a loving photo of dad and his daughter.  I'm at a loss, all the articles are about Elisa, like dad is getting a pass  ::MonkeyMad::

I have not seen any. His Myspace is private.

How very sad, wonder what will happen next? They sure better be watching dad.

Yet there is a picture of him holding the new dog..Guess we know know his priorities. ::MonkeyMad::

Update: Investigators searching a new spot in Burke Co. for missing girl's remains.

http://twitter.com/shelleyclynch

The suspended the search in Burke Co. earlier today but just headed back out there about an hour ago.

Luvmy2boys, I lived in NC for 12 years, went to Catawba Valley Comm College, live in Denver, Charlotte, Sherrills Ford, Cornelius and worked in Kings Mountain.  I am living in South Carolina now. 
This is just absolutely horrible.  I don't understand what would even lead a person to have a thought process like this.  I just don't understand. ::MonkeyNoNo::

"only income listed is that of your husband"

I am not convinced a wood chipper was used.  I think her body was moved a couple of times in trying to come up with a story in their "drugged out" minds. 

I think the death scent on the wood chippers is due to these people handling the body and not bathing and tranferring the death scent to several places.  It is throwing the dogs off....JMO.

I think it would be extremely messy using a wood chipper and extremely hard to get all trace evidence out of it.  A simple luminol test would show that it was not used.  There would be evidence everywhere, jmo.

Also we are talking about commercial wood chippers they are large and not easily moved.  Usually have their own trailer/wheels hooked to a truck as a pull behind piece of equipment. 

Links for the morbid on wood chipper deaths;

http://www.landscapeonline.com/research/article/6084
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Alt/alt.true-crime/2005-12/msg04252.html

http://www.wcnc.com/news/Police-return-to-Burke-County-search-site-104880109.html

How many kids lived in the home? I was just wondering where are they now and if they can be ask questions about zahra as in how long has it been since you saw her? Or was mommy mean to her? Questions like that

CW~ Sadly, I dont believe Zahra moved to the new house.  HO said, a death scent could linger up to a year or more. So if the dogs are alerting to the vehicles and not in the house it doesnt seem like Zahra made it to the house. However, it does appear Zahra was placed on top of one vehicle while the other vehicle was brought around for transport.

I think it was only Zahra

me to i want to retire there, i love to fish and MD, and the OBX is great for both
though the bakers live farther east, been there, have cuz or 2 in Charlotte

Just one, Zahra. Elisa has 2 grown daughters and a grown son from another marriage.

Friends say missing NC girl's stepmother was angry


HICKORY, N.C. — To relatives and former neighbors, Elisa Baker had a short fuse. In interviews and court documents, they portrayed her as willing to use a gun or her fists to settle an argument and say her disabled stepdaughter usually bore the brunt of her nasty temper.

Investigators said Tuesday they believe someone killed 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker, who was reported missing over the weekend. Baker showed no emotion in court Wednesday as a judge explained she could be sentenced to up to 30 months in prison if convicted of obstruction of justice. She is accused of trying to throw off investigators with a fake ransom note.

Baker's court-appointed attorney, Scott Reilly, said she was "scared to death" and very emotional about everything.

"She's upset about being held in jail. She's upset about being away from her family," he said.

Friends described a different side of Baker.

"She was always beating her," former neighbor Karen Yount said Tuesday. "I told her to stop but she wouldn't listen to anyone. That poor girl."

Seven officers and a police dog were searching for Zahra on a wooded lot among piles of mulch and a wood chipper on Wednesday. The property in Morganton has equipment belonging to the tree services company for which her father works.

An officer who asked for anonymity because he's not authorized to discuss the case confirmed the site was among several where officers are searching for the girl. The officer said a different dog got a "hit" at the scene a day earlier, but a search did not reveal anything.

Police said the search for Zahra had shifted to a homicide investigation, canceling a missing child alert for the shy but upbeat girl who used hearing aids and a prosthetic leg because of bone cancer.

District Attorney James Gaither Jr. said he couldn't discuss details about the case.

"I'm upset. The facts are disturbing. You saw the images, she is such a darling child," Gaither said.

Elisa Baker is the only person accused in the case so far. Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins said she was charged with felony obstruction of justice after admitting she wrote the note, which asked for $1 million. She had already been in jail since the weekend on unrelated charges. Adkins said Baker has asked for an attorney, but none had been assigned late Tuesday.

At a news conference, Adkins said police can't find anyone outside the household who has seen Zahra alive in the last month. That uncertainty has stymied efforts to search for her, despite offers from volunteers in the city of 40,000 about 50 miles northwest of Charlotte.

"We understand the public wants to help find Zahra. The problem is we cannot confirm with any confidence how long Zahra has been missing," he said. "Without this information, we cannot positively select the area to search for her."

Zahra's father, Adam Baker, has said it was possible his wife could be involved in the disappearance, and other relatives echoed those remarks.

"I just think this was something for a long time that we knew was going to happen, everybody that was close to the family," relative Brittany Bentley said on CBS' "Early Show" on Tuesday.

Bentley, who is married to Elisa Baker's nephew, said she would have Zahra over for weekends and the girl would get angry when it was time to return home. The girl was being home-schooled, but had attended public schools in the past, police said.

Zahra "was locked in her room, allowed five minutes out a day to eat, that was it," Bentley said. "She was beat almost every time I was over there for just the smallest things. Elisa would get mad, she would take it out on Zahra, things the kid didn't deserve."

Adkins did not take any questions or further explain why the case was being treated as a homicide probe. A search warrant revealed on Monday that police dogs detected the smell of human remains on cars belonging to the father and stepmother.

Adam Baker has not been charged in the case, though the chief said previously he hasn't been ruled out as a suspect.

Caldwell County Court records show that Bentley filed a complaint May 13 against Elisa Baker, claiming she threatened to kill her and her young daughter in a dispute over money. She said Elisa Baker threatened them with a stun gun and a gun, and Bentley feared for their lives.

Ten days later, Yount said in her complaint that Elisa Baker made verbal threats against her child.

"She said my daughter and other girls were talking about her daughter. That wasn't true. She just started screaming and shouting and threatening to hit everybody," Yount said.
The ransom note found Saturday was the first sign that officers were faced with something more sinister. Zahra was reported missing that afternoon. The stepmother said she last saw Zahra sleeping in her room about 12 hours earlier, though Adkins has indicated he doesn't believe the timeline the couple gave him.

Officers investigated a yard fire at the girl's home hours before she was reported missing. Near the burnt limbs and grass, the note had been left on the windshield of the car belonging to Adam Baker.

It was addressed to Adam Baker's boss, though police quickly determined that man's family was safe.

Other neighbors say they also feared for the girl's safety.

"There were warning signs along the way, but you never want to think the worst," said former neighbor Kayla Rotenberry.

Her fiance, Bobby Green, said an investigator from the Department of Social Services visited the Bakers' house a few months ago: "I saw him when he knocked on their door. He said they were looking into whether the girl was being beaten."

The agency didn't return a phone message Tuesday.

Adam Baker was from Australia, and met his current wife over the Internet, a family friend said. Zahra's mother lives outside the U.S.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h4rxdEVLLWNY3lLWF2wqDQ34pAEwD9IQVIK82?docId=D9IQVIK82

I don't know...this man used a wood chipper...and it took weeks to gather forensic evidence:

MURDER - A GRUESOME DISPOSAL & COVERUP
           19- November -  Early morning - Helle Craft is in the bedroom when she is bludgeoned
                                    at the foot of the bed.
                                    Richard Crafts carries Helle's body into the basement and places her                                      inside the new freezer. He goes upstairs and wakes the au pair.
                                    He tells Dawn Thomas (au pair) that they are all to go to his sister's 
                                    house in Westport because Newtown has suffered a power failure.
                                   Dawn Thomas asks about Helle. Crafts tells her that Helle would meet                                     them there. He drives Thomas and the children to Westport and leaves 
                                   them ith his sister. He leaves for home. Later he will tell police he didn't 
                                   go anywhere once he got home.
                                   He removes Helle's frozen body from the freezer and transports her to                                     a property in Newtown he owns. It's secluded. He uses the chainsaw                                     on her body, cutting it into smaller pieces. He wraps them in plastic 
                                   garbage bags and return them to the freezer.
                                      Richard Crafts purchases new bedding.
        20 November - In the dark, Richard Crafts take the packages containing Helle's body                                 parts to Lake Zoar. He throws them one by one into the powerful wood
                               chipper.
                                       
                               When finished he drives the wood chipper in the u-haul to Houstatonic 
                               River and parks on the side of the River Road. He gets rid of more evidence
                               and then runs fresh wood through to clean it.
                              Unbeknownst to Richard, mail which Helle had in her pocket falls to the
                              ground. Small fragments of her bones, broken
http://cmm.lefora.com/2009/10/01/helle-crafts-richard-craft-convicted-murderer/

Zahra could have died in the house and not dead long enough in the house to leave a scent that they dogs would pick up a couple weeks later.


Researchers are trying to determine how long the scent lingers when the body is no longer present, but there are no conclusive results yet—it may be two weeks, or it may be longer. One former Scotland Yard dog handler talking about the McCann case hypothesized that the scent wouldn't last more than a month.

http://www.slate.com/id/2174177/

This is what was found in that woodchipper murder

"In the end, Dr. Lee said, "Our team's efforts at Lake Zoar eventually led to the discovery of 2,660 strands of blond hair, 69 slivers of human bone, 5 droplets of human blood, 2 teeth, a truncated piece of human skull, 3 ounces of human tissue, a portion of human finger, 1 fingernail, and 1 portion of toe nail."

Helle Crafts had been found."

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/woodchipper_murder/10.html

Luvmyboys,

Was said of the neighbor in the current home " Brick house" that Zahra was last to live at - The Neighbor was quoted saying " He never knew Zahra Existed" ..so I doubt she had any friends to speak of. The parents kept her locked away in her room.
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13297637#

The neighbor that lived near the trailer home ( the previous residence of the Bakers)

"There is always hope," said Kayla Rotenberry who lives in the mobile home in Caldwell County next to where the little girl lived until this summer.  "She was such a sweet little girl."

On Tuesday, Rotenberry was showing people a drawing Zahra made and a bunny made out of a sock that the missing girl had given her daughter.

Rotenberry's fiance, Bobby Green, said, "I wish all kids were like Zahra."

Green said he saw the little girl with black eyes and bruises in the past, but said the girl's step-mother Elsa Baker "...always said it was Zahra falling down, Zahra doing this, Zahra doing that."  Green said he didn't believe the stepmother and thought something was wrong.

---
I am so trying to understand this. This is a Man " Bobby Green" and he says he witnessed Zahra with bruises, black eyes ...Zahra was friends with his fiances Daughter.  He says that he felt something was wrong. That Elisa Baker was not telling the truth of Zahra's " injuries" ..

That Zahra was at Risk.

Why in the H#ll didn't he take this up with Zahra's Dad. Man to Man. Hey I have noticed that Zahra has had a lot of bruises lately.. We are really worried about her. My fiance's daughter sees Zahra covered in bruises ... What the heck is going on with your Wife?  " SOMETHING" Anything.

Or Better yet just bypass the Dad and Call and report the Parents. Would that have been too difficult? Note he says " I wish all kids were like Zahra" so that shows reflection that he really did care about her. I guess not enough though, not enough to get involved.

 ::MonkeyNoNo::

In that murder...he did freeze her first...so I wonder if the freezing of the human body would not lead to blood being on the wood chipper...he then ran wood through the wood chipper to clean it.

It is very gruesome to think about...and I can't think about this anymore today...I hope resolution to this case comes quickly.

It was my impression it was search dogs not cadaver dogs that couldn't pick up her scent in the house.

Thank you, Klaas.

Thank you, Brandi and thank you for the artwork.  It helps to break up the sheer agony of reading about our Zahra.  It really helps. 

Novella - that's what my hubby said when I told him she was 85 pds which is a lot of dead weight.  He said they probably did it that way...and that would explain the death scent on the chipper and in the pile...and they could of put a tarp out to collect the bits than got rid of it how your article says. 

Especially if this was done a while ago.  I wonder if they cleaned the chipper recently...cleaned it with bleach or something like that? 

I'm still not so sure.  It's the dogs and the handlers I don't trust.  Dogs will hit on any dead blood scent imo.  And sometimes the handlers don't read the dogs right, like with Shaniya Davis - she was under deer carcasses and the dogs hit on her but the handlers pulled them away thinking they hit on the dead deer.  Later they got the confession from Mario Andretti ONeil that she was under the deer.   

I really would like to feed these people to the wood chipper I do know that. 

and he positioned the woodchipper by the water...so he thought that the tiny remains of his wife were thoroughly disposed...but some of her fragments hit the bank.  So, I am wondering if the husband was able to ever move the wood chipper, did he not state something about moving equipment... ::MonkeyMad::  :gaah: :puker:

Thank you, NR.  and thank you for the updates.
Zahra has gotten to us, hasn't she.
Bless her little heart.

How old is this woman vs. the dad?

RC did a very good job, except, one fingernail he didn't put through the wood chipper.  Yes, it was one fingernail that nailed
him! Oh, someone saw him on snowy winters day, operating a woodchipper, that also helped convict him, if my memory
serves me correctly.

Do you have a link to this?

They were talking about death scents above, which is what I was responding to.

I have never read that they found NO scent of her in the house.

Remember when the 'girl' with long hair was talking about Zahra's abuse?  She is married/separated from a nephew of Gothmother.
She said that her mother would babysit weekends for Zahra. 
Why the heck did they need a babysitter if Gothmom's only income is from her husband? Obviously Gothmom did not work.
Did the Gothfather try to give the child a break from beatings?
Did they party?
I would like to 'interview' that neice-in-law............I bet she could shed a lot of light on a lot of things.
How in God's Name could you send a distraught, bruised, disabled child back 'home'?
Just how?

Search warrant reveals items seized from home of missing Hickory girl

HICKORY, NC (WBTV) - A police search warrant, which lists items removed from the home of a 10-year-old Hickory girl who is still missing, sheds new details on the case.

When Zahra Claire Baker was reported missing by her father, Adam Baker, Saturday afternoon, officials activated an AMBER alert.  After questioning the child's stepmother, Elise Baker, Monday night, police called off the AMBER alert on Tuesday saying the case was now a homicide investigation.

A search warrant was executed on Sunday, Oct. 10, by the Hickory Police Department at the child's home on 21st Avenue Northwest in Hickory.

According to the warrant, the Hickory Police Department was requested by the Hickory Fire Department to respond to a small grass fire at the home on Saturday, Oct. 9 around 5:20 a.m.

When Officer R. Rollins arrived at the home, he was approached by a Hickory firefighter who said there was a fire on a mulch pile behind the home.

Firemen also told Rollins the passenger side doors of a silver 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe that was parked outside the home were open.  A Duke Power envelope with handwriting was inside the vehicle on the front windshield.

Officer Rollins reports in the search warrant that he smelled gasoline emitting from inside the vehicle when he approached.

The Duke Power envelope had the following message: "Mr. Coffey, you like being in control now who is in control we have your daughter and your pot smoking red head son is next unless you do what is asked 1,000,000 unmarked will be in touch soon."  The note also had written at the top and bottom, "no cops."

Rollins saw Mark Coffey and his only daughter, Lauren Coffey, at the home around 5:30 a.m.  Rollins said she was not harmed in any way.  WBTV has learned Adam Baker was renting the home from Mark Coffey, who is also Baker's boss.

Rollins and the firefighters left the home around 6:41 a.m. after investigating the small grass fire.  They believed it to be an arson, the warrant stated.

Around 2 p.m., the police department received a call from Adam Baker stating that someone had poured gas into his car and left a note stating that they had his bosses' daughter.  Baker told police he thought a kidnapper took his daughter, Zahra Baker.

An officer went to the home and searched the house with assistance from Adam and Elisa Baker.

On Sunday, Maria Claxton with the South Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association was called to the home at the request of police and the FBI.

Claxton walked the dog around the Bakers' home and their vehicles.  The warrant states that around 1 p.m., the canine "gave a positive alert for the presence of human remains in or on both vehicles, the silver in color Chevrolet Tahoe... and the burgundy in color Toyota Camry..."

The vehicles were taken to the Hickory Police Department where agents with the North Carolina SBI and FBI assisted police officers in gathering evidence.

According to the search warrant, the items removed from the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Camry include: Duke Power bill, numerous papers with writings and phone numbers, assorted receipts, (3) passports with paperwork, (2) toothbrushes, hair brush, assorted ink pens, (2) lighters, (2) pillows, sheet, comforter, (3) gas cans, (4) burnt samples from Tahoe and brush pile, pink jacket, plastic bowl with green vegg. matter, assorted drug paraphernalia, Chinese take-out menu, 1990 Burgundy Toyota Camry, latent lift, photos, and Chevy Tahoe.

In addition to taking photographs of both vehicles, three swabs of a substance which police said appeared to be blood were also taken from the Chevrolet Tahoe.

On Sunday, police charged Elisa Baker with various unrelated offenses.  She was taken to the Catawba County Jail.  On Monday, police charged her with felony obstruction of justice after they say she admitted to writing the ransom note.

Neither she nor Adam Baker have been charged with Zahra's disappearance at this time.

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13317074

He's 33, she's 42

I agree because apparently the "dead body" does not leave a death scent for a couple hours after death that can be detected by dogs.  So they could have immediatly moved her to one of these vehicles that clearly had the death scent on it.  JMO. 

I read an old study done on this and the average for the dogs was something like 2.5+ hrs after death that the dogs noted a scent. 

Brittney and her mom Kim.  She said they had her many a weekends. Perhaps to get her out of that house and away from the abuse as much as possible?

TWO toothbrushes.

Seems like the search warrants may have only been for the property and not the house??????

Does that make sense????

Scanner
Catawba County North Carolina - Live Audio Feeds (2)

http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?feedId=151

(http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss334/sunny_ccc/emoticons/cat_jump.gif)

Not to me.  They should have taken everything from the little girl's room.  Bed sheets and all.  These people are guilty.  I cannot imagine a father that did not know when he saw his daughter last.  He is lying.  And, he is not too upset either.  I wish they could do like in the movies and pretend they have found her alive somewhere and see how the two react?  Well, I can dream, can't I???

Yes you can!  Being the "GothicFiary" she would probably have a heart attack for sure.  From the news article above they took all those items from the vehicles...it does not look like they got into the house????  Atleast at that point imo.

I'll go back and look but I recall it was the same reporter who thought he saw cloths or material in the ashes from the fire.

Tolerance,  " Normal * whatever that is today" People would not allow Zahra to be returned to Swine monster. I think that " Abuse" runs rampant in this family. That it is part of their every day realm of being. They view it differently, they see it as a part of life.

Zahra not being " blood to them" may have kept them at bay. They tolerated Zahra. They treated her as that poor little thing. Yet were not attached to her. That is why they won't say any more than they have. It then starts opening closets into their own lives as " Family" .

They are part of the same clan that allowed Elisa to beat/harm/hurt Zahra.  All they can do now is protect themselves. I am sure they need some right now, protection that is. From the General Public at Large. They made their beds. all is jmo. 
 

TY Northern...

BBM  Telling isn't it??

I agree, not seen anything related to the house as of yet.  Not saying it does not exist but this search warrant reads like all these items were taken from the vehicles;

According to the search warrant, the items removed from the Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Camry include: Duke Power bill, numerous papers with writings and phone numbers, assorted receipts, (3) passports with paperwork, (2) toothbrushes, hair brush, assorted ink pens, (2) lighters, (2) pillows, sheet, comforter, (3) gas cans, (4) burnt samples from Tahoe and brush pile, pink jacket, plastic bowl with green vegg. matter, assorted drug paraphernalia, Chinese take-out menu, 1990 Burgundy Toyota Camry, latent lift, photos, and Chevy Tahoe.

 ::rhino::
The search Warrant docs are in the closed cage. They did take bedding. Pink comforter, sheets pillows .. its there. They did go inside the house. They removed a laundry list of items.

This is from the zahra facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-4-Zahra-Clare-Baker/124056834314060?v=info&ref=search#!/posted.php?id=124056834314060&share_id=132834983433374&comments=1#s132834983433374

under comments investigators search burke site.

April Fairchild This is a complex case & it's devastating our entire family.The DAD sat & watched this & did nothing. Brittany Bentley is not immediate family, she was married to Elisa's nephew for short while & yes maybe there were some "abuse" recognized by her but she is NOT a blood relative of our family.Just clarifying that! But yes, this is a horrible situation for everyone involved & I pray for Zahra & our family that something is found.

 ::MonkeyLaugh:: ::MonkeyLaugh::

I am close, in VA

The warrant above states they got those items from the cars??  I am going thru old articles and they don't say anything about the house.  Weird, jmo.

Add as Friend Milly Humphrey Please pray it will be today that Zahra is found safe and well. Come home angel.
Dont forget to night at the church everyone. Been there and pray for Zahra's safe return.5 hours ago

looks like the daughter's facebook???? Brittany starbuck  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-4-Zahra-Clare-Baker/124056834314060?v=info&ref=search#!/profile.php?id=100000464396902


Add as Friend Summer Carroll Cline Tonight 830 in the home where Zahra and family lived whoever wants to join (everyone is welcome) sitting in the yard with candles praying and hoping for her return. The police don't want us looking anymore but we have to do something to let Zahra know we care and miss her! Anyone is welcome.22 hours ago

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2010/oct/10/29/police-deeply-concerned-about-welfare-missing-girl-ar-448453/

HICKORY --

Police are continuing their search for a 10-year-old girl who was reported missing at 2 p.m. Saturday. Officers have searched the girl’s northwest Hickory neighborhood with K-9 units but they have not found Zahra Clare Baker.

Maria Claxton, of a local search dog team, led her dog behind crime scene tape and throughout the stacks of firewood and brush in the Bakers’ backyard while their pit bulls strained at their leashes and whined. Then she took the dog to the Bakers’ Chevy Suburban and Toyota Celica, into the crawl space under the family’s house and inside the home. The search turned up nothing.

o/t: My oldest daughter has Juvenile Diabetes and my middle daughter has some serious learning issues. She was a product of a birth mother who used iv drugs (all 3 are adopted from foster care). She also has some major emotional issues. These programs have never turned her away. I just have to be more vigilant about my involvement than I do with my other girls (this doesn't mean I'm not involved, just that I take a different approach).

TY.  He looks that young....she looks older...a lot older.

(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo242/Brandi-Monkey/ZahraClareBaker/Image83.png)

The search warrant was just for the two vehicles, apparently.

Geez I wonder if she even had a bedroom in this house?  You know one set up to appear to be hers?  Or was her bedroom the car if she was still alive while at this house. 

These sicko's! 

And the family on FB the first thing they are doing is pointing fingers at the husband and deflecting their own behavior & responsiblity in this mess.  You people want that woman back...fine how bout we lock you up in a cell with her!  That Brittany Starbuck claims to have beat Elisa up 3 times - real nice family they got there.  JMO.

Deenie like you said - very dysfunctional family all around.

Brandi - Thank you. 

SW looks like gothmom's myspace friend...linked in brittany starbuck's friends.

They won't find her.......dogs hit on human remains on woodchipper.....

http://www.examiner.com/crime-in-national/zahra-baker-update-wood-chipper-searched-case-of-missing-nc-girl

Gothmom's facebook page....found it!!!!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000033065477&v=wall#!/elesa.young (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000033065477&v=wall#!/elesa.young)

I feel anyone who knew or suspected Zahra was a victim of child abuse is guilty here. All the family members, included. Whether they called a report about them or not. They dropped the ball. They knew what was going on and did not do what it took to stop it.p

I believe they could and should have stopped it. Did anyone call 911? Did anyone tell LE she was being abused?

I may have my head in the clouds, but if it were my relative or neighbor, I think I would have done anything and everything to stop it.

Brittany saying the other day that "she knew this would happen" or something to that effect is unbelievable to me. Then why didn't she do everything possible to prevent it?

*disgust*

Elesa Annette Baker people that live in those glass houses should remember their secrets aren't secrets anymore....
May 27 at 3:18pm via Facebook for BlackBerry · Share

It doesn't mention what type of dogs. Scent dogs, cadaver dogs, etc...it just says search dogs. It doesn't say there was no scent of her found in the house. It just said this particular search turned up nothing.

We know clearly dogs did give a death "human remains" alert on the trucks because that is the basis the search warrant was issued, so dogs "turned up" something at some time.

Another one missing in Portland!    ::MonkeyNoNo::

I started a new thread in Missing Persons, hope that was ok...

http://scaredmonkeys.net/index.php?topic=8800.new#new

11-Year-Old Boy Missing In Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland police are searching for an 11-year-old boy who was last seen getting off the school bus in front of his home.

Officers went to the north Portland home Tuesday at 5 p.m. after getting a report that Lok Marcellay was missing. Detectives from the missing persons unit immediately started an investigation, which continued through the night.

Lok is described as Native American, 4 feet 7 inches tall and 80 pounds. He has straight, shoulder-length, black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an orange T-shirt and khaki cargo shorts. He wears thick, black-framed glasses.

Detectives said there’s no information to indicate that a stranger abducted Lok.   


http://www.kptv.com/news/25381305/detail.html

My Bad, Thanks Brandi and all for pointing that out.

I recall the comforter, one would think it came from the house. Guess not.

That means the drug paraphernalia too was found in the CAR

Driving and Druggin ..  good No.

Since the drug paraphernalia was in the car " would that be because" one or both Bakers were trolling around looking for score/drugs ..and would sit somewhere in a remote area ..and get High.

I wonder if the EB/AB has a special place? or if she/they pick places at random.
Ma Baker sure looks like a tweeker to me.

(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo242/Brandi-Monkey/ZahraClareBaker/39831_1544646259666_1340287934_31483174_7345947_n.jpg)

Found this on that page.

Had a terrible thought.

What if the pitbull attacked and killed Zahra and then the coverup began?

Just thinking.

Search Dog
A general term referring to a canine trained for searching based upon visual, olfactory, or auditory clues. This would include the disciplines of: area search dog, trailing search dog, cadaver search dog, decomp search dog, disaster search dog, water search dog, forensic evidence search dog and human remains detection dog.

this is the aaron on the gothmom's myspace pictures with Zahra, his quotes from his facebook

Aaron Young In life God gives us the most precious things Children.And for someone to harm one or scare it or take it away from those who love it is worse than criminal.May God be with you Zahra our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Sunday at 8:03pm · View Feedback (2)Hide Feedback (2) · Share
Lisa Navey Aaron that is beautiful, I only wish Zahra had never met that evil,evil woman...
Monday at 4:57pmAaron Young yea i know and zahra loved her to death for some reason
Yesterday at 10:24am

http://www.facebook.com/elesa.young?v=wall#!/profile.php?id=100000036481999&v=wall

Thank you Brandi.  I was fairly certain we have not heard or seen anything about the house being searched as of yet. 

Please keep zahra in your prayers. They still havent found her but things are starting to un ravel a little bit. All I know is i hope and pray that zahra is ok and will be found very soon!!
Sunday at 3:54pm · View Feedback (6)Hide Feedback (6) · Share
Savannah Morgan what do you mean things are starting to unravel? any leads to where about she might be at? or anything new? keep me informed. ty
Sunday at 5:44pmAaron Young No, I mean they are finally starting to see that lisa isnt so innocent
Sunday at 5:51pmSavannah Morgan what?
Sunday at 5:52pmSavannah Morgan do you mean that she is Lisa's step-daughter now?
Sunday at 5:54pmKristy Robinson Yes!! Say a prayer for her safe return!!
Sunday at 6:53pmSavannah Morgan we will.

Brandi I had some thoughts as soon as I saw the pits.  I am surrounded by them.  Basically good "people dogs" just don't like other dogs IMO.  But would be a way to get rid of evidence.  Also a way to keep the police from certain parts of the yard until they are removed.

That's why I think they need to rip that property apart & do a thorough search.  jmo.

It does not appear that gothmom had many friends via facebook...her gothicfairy cover on myspace was better.  Going through her old wall info...back all the way to the beginning of the year...no one ever comments on her wall...just various game stuff.

Elesa Annette Baker KARMA is such a wonderful thing, eventually it will get the people who deserve it, for that I can't wait. When it happens, I will point and laugh

This woman.... ::MonkeyMad::

the father

the dog's name is sabbath

I just saw the news here in NC and they just reported that. There was human remains and blood on the equipment. It was on news 1s. Sorry have no link but she was live. Has anyone else heard that?

Elesa Annette Baker This world is full of cold hearted people that continue to hurt undeserving persons without even taking a second glance, thats why its up to the ones with a heart to share the love,with hopes it could change the world.

Well, starting at the end of January of this year...people stop communicating with her via facebook...it appears that up until that point...she was even having somewhat of a relationship with family members, to include her daughter, Brittany.

Nice find Novella - I had looked for it myself  ::MonkeyCool::

What could she have done? You can call everyone, report to everyone but you can't kidnap someone's kid. I had to deal with this with my niece.

I posted a longer version of this comment last night, wonder if this "Sarah" from EB's facebook is the same one mentioned in this article?   Sarah Walker.....

This was in the comment section of this  article.  Spelling is terrible but does it look that this person is saying that this friend "Sarah" saw Zahra 4 days ago?

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/25368912/detail.html


I was sitting at Taco Bell tonight speaking with my kids over this and a lady who worked there stepped up to us as if she has know us all her life and said that a friend of hers knows the step mother and said the step mother had fessed to the murder of this child. And that the friend had seen this little girl 4 days. Tf I remember correctly the lady said the "friends" name was Sarah.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000033065477&v=wall#!/profile.php?id=100000033065477&v=info (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000033065477&v=wall#!/profile.php?id=100000033065477&v=info)

maybe they better go look again at 21 21 avenue nw hickory


snip
When Officer R. Rollins arrived at the home, he was approached by a Hickory firefighter who said there was a fire on a mulch pile behind the home.
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13317074

Thanks Klaasend...I had to get my thoughts off the woodchipper.  Unfortunately, the facebook seems to show only a slight unravelling...beginning in February of this year...the facebook started in January.  I have to wonder if the family had a computer, because many of the later texts appear to be from a mobile phone.  The last wall post was late in July.  I am guessing that the household stress was increasing due to financial distress...having a new dog, a child with medical disabilities and only the husband working a job that doesn't pay the greatest, a new move, and add to that a possible drug addiction probably escalated the events in that household. 

Never been in the situation, myself.

I am so sorry you have, with your niece.

Like I said, I may have my head in the clouds, but I just feel they should have not stopped with a single call to child protective services. Seems to me there was a legitimate emergency need for someone to come to Zahra's aid, and I would probably called LE (911) and not stopped until she was out of that home.

*sigh*

Not sure in reality what could have been done, but I think more could have.

I just wish that adults that knew Alesa and knew Zahra and KNEW she was being mistreated had done more about it.   ::MonkeyNoNo::

Hey man name is Sarah Walker I am 19yrs. I like going out with my friends and have fun. I'm always looking to try new things and I'm always on the go. Anything else you wanna know.. Peace

from her facebook page.

This is who was going to smoke with gothmom according to the myspace comments

Facebook for EB's estranged son: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=505381090

Looks like he is in le?

more should definitely have been done..but it's not the relatives fault. It's the system. I purposely insinuate myself into every aspect of my nieces life. I smile and grit my teeth at her mom (my step sister). Things are better for her now as the father is out of the picture but all you can really do is push your way in and keep on top of it. CPS is overwhelmed. I was a foster mom in 2001-2002 and it was a cluster-fu%$ let me tell you. I have never worked with such unorganized people in my life. We have to be more vigilant and force our way in. I'd have befriended this woman and then let her know how...well it doesn't matter but trust me, after years with my crackhead stepsister I have many tricks up my sleeve. Now I'm a cyber cop to my niece mostly as she's now at the age she gets online. I join every chat room she starts, follow her online, check her computer. Things her mom doesn't want or know to do. It may seem extreme but I don't care. It's my job as an Aunt. I'm also thinking about a keylogger..but I'm waiting on that. I'll calm and stop when she's 18 and in college. but till then...

This reminds me of the elizabeth olten case...one go gothmom's facebook friends

 Jeff Clark...under his photo:


Send Jeff a Message
JUGGALO 4 LIFE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/friends/?id=1340287934#!/profile.php?id=100000523363486&v=wall (http://www.facebook.com/friends/?id=1340287934#!/profile.php?id=100000523363486&v=wall)

and he has children

Sarah is Elesa's daughter so I'd take what she says with a grain of salt:

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub9%20June%202010/SarahWalkerDaughter.jpg)

From EB's FB page. REALLY??? I mean...REALLY???

Elesa Annette Baker This world is full of cold hearted people that continue to hurt undeserving persons without even taking a second glance, thats why its up to the ones with a heart to share the love,with hopes it could change the world.

February 12 at 9:13am

Looks like gothmom's friends know the scoop

FiltersMichael + FriendsJust MichaelJust Friends
Michael Hollar via Mitchell Clark: My buddy Mitchell Clark posted this as his Memorial for Zahra..God bless you buddy..Great...
White Lion - When the Children Cry (official music video) HQ
www.youtube.com
White Lion "When The Children Cry" available on iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/yjnuxpm Album: Pride Year: 1987 Label: Atlantic Records This official music video is copyright 1988 Atlantic Records. I do not claim ownership to this video or song. All rights reserved by copyright owners. Vocals: Mike T...
Yesterday at 2:18pm · View Feedback (2)Hide Feedback (2) · Share · Flag
Mitchell Clark thanx mikey ... what a shame
Yesterday at 2:27pmMichael Hollar yeah Its a damn shame..I know her..sweet little girl..

Videos from News Station in Perth AU - of Zahra's Case.

They have snips of EB's attorney speaking - don't throw up if you watch it. He is claiming her to be Mother of the Year ......


http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8105557/police-search-wood-chipper-for-missing-zahra

http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13318660

Zahra's stepbrother releases statement, asks for prayers
Posted: Oct 13, 2010 5:16 PM EDT
Updated: Oct 13, 2010 5:23 PM EDT
 
Late Wednesday afternoon Douglas Proctor, the son of Elisa Baker, released a statement to the media.

We have posted it here exactly as it was sent to the media:

Dear everyone, I would first like to personally thank all those who have and are continuing to helping locate Zahra Baker and i ask that everyone continue to please support my family during this difficult time.

Due to the fact i am still gathering facts right now i am unable to make any comment on anything regarding Zahra Baker as well as my mother Elisa Baker. I would also like to ask that everyone please respect my families privacy during this difficult and stressful time.

Once all the facts have been gathered i will issue another statement but until then i will refrain from saying anything else. Once again please keep Zahra Baker in your prayers and thanks to everyone who is helping.

 Sincerely, Douglas Proctor

I don't know how to save screenshots...some of the facebook friends are starting to set things to private...so if any of you monkeys know how to do that...could be useful later down the road.

I know...I read them...seems like she started spiralling downward in February.  Maybe the reality of married life and having a disabled child started to set in.  Reading her writings...I can see how she lured her husband in...especially if he knew her just through the internet.  Many of her "friends" do not seem surprised by the current events in reading their facebook walls.

A person claiming to be a local on another board posted this. Take it for what it worth...rumor/gossip:


View Post
The Tahoe SUV is currently at a local business under going "smell reduction" through the use of an Ozone type air cleaner. They are apparently trying to eliminate of get rid of some of the gasoline smell so they can work better within the vehicle.

Search dogs/cadaver dogs are out at the former residence in the Sawmills community. This info is from a resident of the area.

Wood chipper is being looked at piece by piece by forensic teams from SBI.

The NC SBI is being extremely careful in evidence collection and examination as well as lab work after the report of incomplete lab work and with holding of complete lab results and evidence to defense lawyers.

DA as advised LE to be thorough in lite of blunders of the Anderson murder case in Caldwell County a few years ago.

SO LE has reason to be very thorough in investigation, evidence collection, and crime scene investigation especially in the use of cadaver dogs.

Video about the new search locations from 5 oclock news

http://www.wsoctv.com/video/25382252/index.html

North of Morganton
They're draining a pond now in the area where they've been searching, per WSOC. Fire Dept. is there to pump the water out.

thanks pink angel

wonder why she wrote the ransom note, if she had nothing to do with
her disappearance, maybe they should ask EB, the right Q,
what do you know about Zahra's disappearance

Sounds like Lee Anthony.

It should take about an hour to drain the pond per the news station.

They can't ask her anything now. Her lawyer won't let her talk. Which sucks.


I think she wrote the ransom note so they could "claim" Zahra must have been taken by mistake. Since it was the boss's house they were living in. JMO

All I can think is all these people who claim to have witnessed the abuse by Elisa Baker they better stand by their word and this little girl when it comes time for them to testify in the court!

I wonder if she abused her own children?

Oh wow, thanks, one would think they must know something to do this.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/25368912/detail.html

Investigators To Drain Pond In Search Of Missing Girl
WSOC-TV

Posted: 3:45 pm EDT October 12, 2010Updated: 5:54 pm EDT October 13, 2010

HICKORY, N.C. -- The search for 10-year-old Zahra Baker has now taken investigators to a drainage pond in Burke County. Channel 9 has confirmed that investigators will drain the pond to search for clues in the case.

Burke County police and K-9 teams were back actively searching several different locations on Wednesday for the missing 10-year-old, Zahra Baker.

Police were double checking the areas that they searched on Tuesday to make sure they didn't miss any evidence that could help with this case.

Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, briefly appeared Wednesday before a judge on the charge of obstruction of justice at the Catawba County Justice Center in Newton.

Baker answered “yes” and “no” to the judge’s questions with two attorneys at her side, but didn't say much else.

Police said she has not cooperated since her stepdaughter's disappearance on Saturday from the family’s home in Hickory.

Police said Baker admitted to writing the ransom note found outside the home the day Zahra disappeared.

The judge appointed attorney Scott Reilly to represent Baker. Reilly told the judge he believes her $40,000 bond is too high.

Channel 9 spoke with Reilly and prosecutors about the case on Wednesday afternoon. "She is scared to death. She's worried if her family is out here and she is still emotional. It's scary coming out here and seeing all the court reporters and courtroom of people who are so much against her right now," Reilly said.

Riley also said Baker feels she is being railroaded by police. "She says she is not a killer had nothing to do with this whatsoever and that she has tried to cooperate with police, and that she loves her daughter," Reilly said.

"I know this is a very emotional time for law enforcement. The community is upset. We have a high degree of faith that law enforcement is going to solve this case. It’s going to be a high priority for the DA’s office when they do,” said District Attorney Jay Gaither.

Scott Reilly told Chanel 9 that they could have a bond hearing as early as Monday.

Police released very little information Wednesday but Channel 9 could saw investigators at several locations back searching in Burke County north of Morganton, running down possible leads.

One of those leads was a call from Rachel Freeman, who lives one mile from the area where investigators were searching on Tuesday night. Freeman told police she smelled something outside her home. "I want them to find it. I'm very concerned about her. We've smelled it since Sunday. It was real bad last night,” Freeman said.

But police said they didn't find anything around Freeman’s home. The area is less than a mile from where officers conducting a massive search Tuesday night for Zahra on property where police said her father had access to a wood chipper.

That location is where Melvin Campbell lives. He too called police after spotting an SUV on a logging road. "Just everybody keep their eye out and if they see anything suspicious call the law,” Campbell said.

A candlelight vigil has been scheduled for Zahra who went missing nearly four days ago.

The public vigil for 10-year-old Zahra is expected to take place Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at East Hickory Baptist Church on 16th Street Southeast in Hickory.

Police searched a wooded area throughout the night Tuesday and into Wednesday for the girl who has been missing since Saturday morning.

 ::monkeyscissors::

I never thought I'd say that I hope a body is found in a pond, because the alternative is what we have been fearing since hearing about the wood chipper.

Please God, let that baby be in that pond!  ::MonkeyAngel::

I put that video in photobucket.  Click on the picture below to watch the video:

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub9%20June%202010/th_SearchContinues101310.jpg) (http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub9%20June%202010/?action=view&current=SearchContinues101310.mp4)

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub9%20June%202010/DrainPond1.jpg)

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub9%20June%202010/DrainPond2.jpg)

Crews searching pond in Burke County

by NewsChannel 36 Staff
WCNC.com
Posted on October 13, 2010 at 2:32 PM
Updated today at 6:19 PM

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. – Late Wednesday afternoon, firetrucks arrived at an area that police and canine units have been searching in connection with the disappearance of Zahra Baker. Crews unrolled hoses and started draining a pond on the property they've been searching for the past two days.

Hickory police say officers, search dogs involved in previous efforts and additional search dogs returned to and expanded the search area on Wednesday afternoon.

Tuesday, they focused investigation efforts on one area, near a brush pile.

Burke County Sheriff John McDevitt said approximately 50 investigators were on scene Tuesday, watching as a backhoe cleared brush.

The land searched belongs to the family of a foreman at the tree trimming company where Zahra's father, Adam, works. It is an area where mulch, wood chips, and heavy equipment are all stored.

Bobby Green, a former employee of the company, says Baker would have had access there.

Alvin Webb, who lives next door, told NewsChannel 36 a deputy told him a cadaver dog smelled human remains on a mulch pile and on a wood chipper on the property. McDevitt said Tuesday night there have been "many hits" but none that he would call conclusive.

This is not the only area police are investigating.  Officers say they have investigators checking into different addresses where the Baker's have lived as well as officers searching in two other counties. A number of leads have been called in, and officers say they're following up on every tip.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/Police-return-to-Burke-County-search-site-104880109.html

Video at link also.

if the chipper was ran at the pond, (i hate this) will they be able to find.....
chit i dont know how to word it, my stomach is turning

OMG, you mean the stuff that comes out of the chipper going into the pond, instead of piles of mulch?  ::MonkeyNoNo::

They will find bone fragments, teeth, hair, etc.

I am sure they have.  She only wrote the ramson note according to her.

Yep..he is LE ..but to his benefit he hasn't lived with his Mother or visited ...but I would think he would have heard the family gossip....

TY Klaas

On EB's myspace it states she is a college grad...wonder if there is any truth to that.

JVM just had a reporter on and said they just did some interviews w/family. They said Elisa was a known drug dealer and even sold drugs to family members!

Explains a lot of the fights in the family and some family being reluctant to report the abuse. If she was selling drugs to family members, those buying could have been worried about being implicated for drugs.

I just don't believe anyone would write a "ransom note" unless they knew what had happened to the missing one.  I mean Zahra could just step out from behind a tree or something otherwise, right?

To me, that's as good as a confession. 

 ::MonkeyNoNo::

This is sad beyond belief!  To think what that child went through just to survive cancer and then this!

Also I think the prosthetic leg would not all chip.  It would leave large metal parts.  Those are somewhere.  And horrible as it is to think, what else can we think with this wood chipper development other than it was used in some way to conceal their crime.  The father is totally complicit in all of this as well.

Maybe that explains her comment about others having skeletons in their closets.

and JVM cut her off!!!!!!!!
She started to say that Brittany bought drugs and that is why.........................
then Jane went to commercial.

Lisa's fb page went *poof* for me...did it for everyone else??  ::MonkeyEek::

Probably a repost but this woman said "when the real story comes out"

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001476913545&v=wall

Hi Anna, nice to see you.

I agree with your post, especially what I bolded.

http://www.facebook.com/elesa.young?v=wall

This one? Still showing for me.

Anna - I agree with your entire post.

Another photo of Zahra I have never seen, such a beautiful girl.

(http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss334/sunny_ccc/Monkey%20stuff/Zahra_snake.jpg)

These are relatives on Elesa Baker.  She actually has quite an extended family:

(http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o100/klaasen3/Sub9%20June%202010/SharonRayAaronYoung.jpg)

Thanks, NCSunny.

I had not seen the snake one either.

I found this one today of her at the mobile home they used to live at:

(http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo242/Brandi-Monkey/ZahraClareBaker/Image83a.png)

TY klaas, but the pond will have been drained by then, sm will be busy after
the shutdown, be ready

OT

This explains how a RC how deposed of his wife with a Woodchipper.  A very smart detective and the Sheriff nailed him.

The Woodchipper Murder (book)

Synopsis
In The Woodchipper Murder the Newtown, Connecticut police listed Helle Crafts disappearance as routine, but a private detective and a sheriff suspected murder with a dreadful machine. [snip]

[snip]
Richard Crafts as he buys a truck with a pintle hook for towing heavy equipment, promised for delivery before November 18. A day later he reserves a Badger Brush Bandit wood chipper

Publishers Weekly

Herzog is convinced that Connecticut- based airline pilot Richard Crafts bludgeoned his stewardess wife to death in November 1986, cut up her body with a chain saw and fed the remains into a industrial-strength woodchipper. He wrote the book after the case ended in mistrial and as a second trial was pending--Crafts was later convicted. [snip]

I am curious about a post from yesterday. I cannot find it now, it may be in the last thread that said some hair, teeth, nails, and flesh had been found. Does anyone know if there is any validity to that? I haven't seen anything else with this info.

I believe that was describing another case where a woodchipper had been used, not his case.

That list was from a different case. A case involving a murder/woodchipper.  Helle Craft who was murdered by her husband.

They found  2,660 strands of blond hair, 69 slivers of human bone, 5 droplets of human blood, 2 teeth, a truncated piece of human skull, 3 ounces of human tissue, a portion of human finger, 1 fingernail, and 1 portion of toe nail. 

At vigil Zahra's step-bro talked briefly to reporters. Asked 4 prayers 4 Zahra. Had "no comment" on abuse allegations/when he last saw her.

http://twitter.com/yunjid

NG is talking about the pond now..

I really think that these people who knew about the abuse this little girl was suffering could have done more..if they called authorities or S/S everyday till someone listened, would that work next time??
at the very least, have Z stay with them as much as possible, something, anything...this is really bugging me...I would not be able to be silent while a child is suffering like that..I could not sleep at night..

http://twitpic.com/2xda5u
At a vigil for Zahra, teddy bear left with a note left by another child that reads "We love you"
(http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/176979378.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1287015868&Signature=OzSXVM8SJDOEHYdkzAXBT628twU%3D)

Zahra is in our hearts and prayers

It appears that Zahra Baker is more than missing. Police fear she will not be found alive.

There is still much we do not know. We do not know the circumstances that led to her disappearance. We do not know the minds of those involved.

 We do know that this community is searching for solace and understanding in the face of a tragedy.

 Where will we find this solace?

 We will find it in the caring arms of neighbors, friends and family. We know that the people of Catawba County are loving, good-hearted folks. We see it in the way they support organizations that minister to the needs of others.

 The same holds true of the folks in Caldwell County where the Baker family lived a short time ago, and where Zahra went to school.

 We will find solace in our houses of worship and in thoughtful prayer.

 We will find it in the dawn of a new day, where hope resides.

 And we will hold Zahra Baker in our hearts, a place she cannot be harmed.

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2010/oct/13/zahra-our-hearts-and-prayers-ar-455676/

Hickory holds vigil for missing girl feared dead

HICKORY, N.C. (AP) - Dozens of people in North Carolina have gathered to remember a 10-year-old girl whose stepmother is accused in her disappearance.

About 150 people held hands and sang religious songs at a vigil Wednesday night in Hickory to remember Zahra Clare Baker. She was reported missing Saturday and police are treating her case as a homicide.

Many in the crowd implored each other to love their children.

Authorities are searching different sites for Zahra, including property in Burke County.

Earlier Wednesday, stepmother Elisa Baker was in court as a judge explained her obstruction of justice charge. The woman is accused of trying to throw off investigators with a fake ransom note.

Zahra suffered from cancer and used a prosthetic leg and hearing aids.


http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13319888

Crews searching pond in Burke County (video)

http://www.wcnc.com/video?id=104880109&sec=552327

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2010/oct/13/neighbors-never-saw-missing-girl-ar-453363/

Published: October 13, 2010

Neighbors never saw missing girl
By Larry Clark

Zahra Clare Baker is the little girl who never was to neighbors on 21st Avenue, NW.
“I’ve never seen her,” said Eddie Mitchell, who lives across from the Baker house.

“Nobody ever saw her,” said Elisabeth Goderstad, whose house is nearby on 22nd Street.
In fact, Mitchell says he saw Zahra’s stepmother, Elisa Baker, once.

“I walk two or three times a day,” Mitchell said Tuesday evening. Usually, he walks briskly a mile or so along 21st Street.

Occasionally, he’ll try N.C. 127 North, just steps from his house and the Bakers’.

It was one of those occasions when he saw Zahra’s father, Adam Baker, drive up with his wife. There was no child with them when they got out of the car.

“I’m always out,” Mitchell said. “I never noticed them (the Bakers) until about three weeks or a month ago.”

Mitchell has lived at the same location for two years.

“He was always out at the mailbox, and I would say hello, but I couldn’t get a reaction. He wasn’t a very sociable guy.”

He said some of the neighbors told him they saw Elisa Baker from time to time.

Mitchell said he was surprised Sunday morning when a Hickory police officer asked him if he had seen Zahra.

Then, it was the officer’s turn to be surprised when Mitchell said never.

The Baker house is a simple, one-story structure, with a tarp over part of the roof, stacks of firewood in the backyard, a log splitter and a truck from Real Tree Services of Morganton.
An adult dog and a puppy stay in the back yard. A neighbor, according to a passerby, waters the dogs.

However, Mitchell said he never heard any commotion or machinery being operated on the property.

“This is a quiet neighborhood,” he said. Several older people live on the street.

“He (Adam Baker) was always out front, but I didn’t notice anything going on behind the house — but then the house screens the yard.”

Mitchell said he heard the siren Saturday morning when the fire was reported in the Bakers’ back yard.

“But I hear them all the time, so I didn’t think much about it.”

He said police asked to look around his property Saturday. Mitchell consented.

Then, Sunday morning, “They took the stepmother away in handcuffs.”

Police looked around Mitchell’s place again.

He said he’s looked for Zahra when he walks, and checked out some nearby woods.

Nothing.

“It’s crazy,” Mitchell said.

On 22nd Street, there are lots of children who get out and play, according to Goderstad. But none of the kids ever saw Zahra.

“We thought the house was vacant,” she said.

Many of the children are in Zahra’s age group. There’s a spot nearby the Baker house where the children like to play.

“None of the children saw her,” Goderstad said, adding that police talked to the children, but to no avail.

“Nobody’s letting their kids out now,” she said. “You can’t leave your children out. You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Goderstad said the child of one of her relatives went to school with Zahra in Caldwell County last year.

The girl was described as a loner. And one day, Zahra was no longer in school.

“I hope they have the right person in jail,” Goderstad said, referring to Elisa Baker.

“Then another child won’t get hurt.”

The news that the investigation into Zahra’s disappearance is now a homicide case is disturbing, Goderstad said.

“It’s so sad,” she repeated.

Still, she hopes for the best for the little girl who beat cancer, the girl whose disappearance was still a mystery Tuesday evening, the girl that nobody in the neighborhood ever knew.

Elisa and Adam couldn't even be bothered with giving their own dogs water according to that article.  A neighbor was giving them water.  Just Evil.

Right and WHY?  Elesa wasn't working, no reason for her not to feed/water the dogs.

Hi fatcat! nice to see you as always....sad isn't this? these 2 are just pure evil!

So, according to another post, possibly Elisa sold drugs.  Makes sense to me..doing drugs, drug addicted, what better way to pay for that habit then selling.   It also makes sense why she carried a taser and a gun..can't have things get'in out of hand now can we/

I think that it seems like someone reported her to DDS  about the abuse.  That didn't have any results..and it appears that then others filed LE reports against her to bring charges for other things.

Her neighbor calls to ask who the man was..her neighbor knew who the man was..these people were watching and waiting for her to be arrested.  When that didn't happen within the same month 2 others brought other charges against her.  I really think these people were trying the best they knew to put a stop to the abuse and to Elisa.  She obviously thought that too..moving..threats..then the final plea to drop the charges.

Sometimes people do the best they can in their situation.  This child is dead..they didn't do it or allow it...her parents did.

Why didn't her Dad ever report the abuse?  Why didn't he just leave and go back to Aussie?

cause she was too busy torturing a ten yr old child who had cancer and a prosthetic!  ::MonkeyMad::

So she is going to claim munchausen syndrome?  I call bullshit!  And Bullshit on her family for even bringing it up on NG.  This was/is not munchausen this was plain out hated filled abuse for this child.  JMO.

very good post...you are right...they probably did the best that they could do...
Dad is the bottom line...he should have taken this little girl out of that house...he was her DAD! he knew what was going on..who knows if he beat this child himself...he is as guilty as SM cause he knew...

When I first read about the neighbor "watering" their dogs over the fence yesterday, I got the impression it was because the dogs were not being given enough water by the owners.

I suspect that they (Elisa and Adam) neglected them.

 ::MonkeyNoNo::

Yup.  ITA.  He did nothing because he didn't care or he was doing it also?!  I'm sure she will sing that one eventually.  You can only keep calling and reporting and pray the child does not get it worse because of it.  jmo

Thank you, Klaas!

Munchausen my azz...The faked illnesses were for drugs.

The black and white one - Sabbath looked a little thin to me - his chest bones were sticking out imo but could of been the picture.  Pits usually have muscled chests not bones sticking out.

A couple more pics of Sabbath here: http://tinyurl.com/2fwlw7s

I totally agree. I feel that it the system failed this child. The family brought charges, but the DA dismissed them with the possibility of re-opening them later. DHS was called, but didn't press further than when Zahra wouldn't talk to them. I don't think that all of the family members are accountable. I think that the Rottenbury neighbor could have done more though!!!

Just a little info. A lot of drug dealers treat their dogs like this. Very little food and water, not much human contact. Makes the dog much more aggressive and more likely to attack.

My heart is breaking for this child's life. So much pain and suffering in such few short years.

I hope they keep them alive for a very long time in prison and in general population. Prisoner's hate child killers.

Prayers for Zahra Baker as crews drain pond in search for missing Hickory girl
Stepmother charged with obstruction after police say she admitted writing a fake ransom note to thwart investigation.


(http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2010/10/13/22/zahra_GL51PQP7M.1+Zahara_CP.JPG.embedded.prod_affiliate.138.jpg)


HICKORY -- Several hundred people gathered at a local church for a candlelight vigil for 10-year-old Zahra Baker Wednesday night, as police expanded their search for the missing girl and drained a pond near the tree-trimming company where her father has worked.

People sang and prayed for Zahra outside the East Hickory Baptist Church, their children playing on swings and a jungle gym nearby.

"We just want to lift up little Zahra as we think about the tragedies in her life," Deacon David King told the crowd.

Early Wednesday, Zahra's stepmother Elisa Baker made her first appearance in court on obstruction of justice charges after investigators said she admitted she wrote a phony ransom note found at the family's home on Saturday.

Police say the note was designed to throw investigators off-track in their search for answers in the girl's disappearance, a case they're now calling a homicide.

At the vigil, Lindsey Parker told the crowd that family members had reported suspected abuse of Zahra to the Department of Social Services on three occasions. She said she was speaking on behalf of Brittany Starbuck, one of Elisa Baker's three children from a previous marriage.

"DSS was called three times," Parker said of the family. "They tried. They really tried."

DSS officials in Caldwell County, where the family recently lived, have not responded to requests for information.

Elisa Baker, 42, dressed in a pink jump suit and shackled at her wrists and legs, quietly answered "yes" as Judge Gregory Hayes asked if she understood the charge against her. She's being held on a $40,000 bond.

The case has drawn nationwide attention to this community at the foot of the N.C. mountains. Reports of possible mistreatment of Zahra have raised questions about what should have been done to protect the little girl.

Zahra, who is hearing impaired and has a prosthetic leg, was reported missing on Saturday. But police say they cannot confirm that anyone outside the household has seen her in the last month.

"She's a beautiful child," Milly Humphrey, a family friend said of Zahra at the vigil. "We don't know anything. We just hope she's found – and found safe."

Elisa Baker's attorney, Scott Reilly of Newton, said his client was "scared to death" and extremely upset about being held in jail.

He would not answer questions about whether Baker had discussed her stepdaughter.

The FBI has been called in to assist local police with the search and conduct any needed lab work.

Authorities worked late into Wednesday night to drain a pond near property owned by Real Tree Services, where Adam Baker, Zahra's father, is employed. The property includes large piles of wood chips and heavy equipment, and is surrounded by woods.

Lieutenant Becky Weatherman of the Burke County Sheriff's Office, said the lack of specifics on where to look was making the search more difficult.

"It's very hard," she said. "Especially if (someone) buried underground or you don't know where exactly to look."

In Hickory, police again visited the Baker's house on 21st Avenue NW. Officers and search dogs didn't turn up anything, although investigators removed a restaurant dumpster near the house to search it for evidence.

No one answered the Bakers' door Wednesday afternoon. Next-door neighbor Charles Bost said he hasn't seen Adam Baker in at least two days as news of his daughter's disappearance spread.

Adam Baker, 33, hasn't been charged in connection with the case and has remained largely out of the public eye except for a Monday appearance on Good Morning America where he acknowledged it was possible his wife might have been involved in Zahra's disappearance.

Douglas Proctor, who identified himself as Elisa Baker's son, contacted the ******* Wednesday to request privacy for his family and express gratitude to the dozens of people offering to help search for Zahra. He declined to discuss the case, but said finding Zahra is the family's top priority.

"Everyone has hope we'll find her," he said. "We're just trying to focus our attention on Zahra and trying to bring her home safe."

On Tuesday, Hickory police called off an AMBER Alert seeking help in finding Zahra alive and declared the case a homicide after cadaver search dogs detected possible human remains in the Bakers' vehicles parked outside their home, according to a search warrant.

Police were first called to the Bakers' home about 5 a.m. Saturday in response to a yard fire.

While they were there, police found a ransom note on the Bakers' SUV, demanding $1 million from "Mr. Coffey," who has been identified as Adam Baker's boss. The note suggested kidnappers had taken Mark Coffey's daughter, but when police checked they found the family was fine.

Zahra Baker was born in the southeast Australian town of Wagga Wagga, according to the Australian Daily Record. She lost her left leg below the knee to bone cancer when she was 5, and the disease also left her hearing impaired.

She moved to the United States last year with her father after he struck up an online romance with Elisa Baker.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/10/13/1758012/missing-girl-now-believed-to-be.html

 I would also like to ask that everyone please respect my families privacy during this difficult and stressful time.

Once all the facts have been gathered i will issue another statement but until then i will refrain from saying anything else.   ::MonkeyNoNo::  That lasted long .....


The Zahra Baker case: family friends say social services were notified about alleged abuse, plus stepmom's son speaks - watch @gma tmrw
http://twitter.com/yunjid

O/T

Klaas Nightowl left a post in JSM about starting a thread for a missing child.  Thanks

Interesting, they took 3 PASSPORTS and 2 TOOTHBRUSHES from the home.

I really don't believe this child lived in this house.  Ever.

(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm166/crankycrankerson/Zahra%20Baker%20%20-NC-/sw4.jpg)

Ditto.

Were back.  Just finished watching NG.
Listening to Marc Klaas, Ms. Lance/Reporter and *Carrie Fairchild * younger sister of EB.
Thinking out loud here. First I am tired, so if I am all over the place please forgive me. This is a long post too.. needs to be, so I can explain what I am thinking.

Elisa Fairchild Baker meets Adam Baker on line within in internet chat site 2007.

How did this relationship Spark?  Usually people go into chat rooms will go into to speak about a topic. Then meet a few people. Then little clutches of people start meeting at a certain time at night what have you. Happens 24/7 - Globally.  You then do find certain people who interest you more so, then that friendship starts. Again happens all the time.

Now this is what I am leading up to ..
Did Elisa CHOSE Adam because of Zahra ? because Zahra had Cancer ?

Social sites for Romance/Dating you do have to use some common sense. Women for example. It should be a known NO NO that you do not put on your profile. I am a lonely single broken heart and I have two little girls ages 4 and 6, Looking for any man that will treat me right. OK you just invited every perp and pedo into your world.. this Is where I am going with Elisa. 

Is she/Elisa a Predator? She read Adam's bio or was told by Adam he was a lonely man, raising a Daughter on his own that has Cancer, that her leg was amputated, she had lost her hearing.

Did this Elisa tell Adam " She too had Cancer? in 2007 " to gain his sympathy/friendship?
That it was her IN with him.  He was in AU, so she could manipulate him from afar ..not like he was going to show up on her front porch.

She " Elisa"  said by her own Sister and family that she is a pathological liar. Her charges standing of Employee Larceny/Fraud/Bad Checks = Criminal Mind.

Thinking about this. What the Sister said tonight on NG. She said that Elisa would make up stories of her/Elisa having Brain Cancer/Terminal illnesses.
 My brain is telling me, by the Sisters words, " I recall this one time" this was before Elisa met Adam, that the wheelchair event was concocted - attempted. Thankfully the Daughter had common sense enough not to go through with it. Again that Elisa would tell everyone she had terminal brain cancer .. 

NG asked Sister Carrie when was the last time "You" have seen Zahra? Sister replies its been a Year. Or possibly she said over a year. I know it was at least One year. That was 2009 presumably, was the last time she would have seen Zahra.

Did Elisa think in some sick way she could use Zahra for her own intensive purposes? Some sick Fantasy. That is why she went through with this romance and it led to marriage.  All this obsession with Cancer and Terminal Disease is frightening. NOT Munchhausen either.

I think she thought she would be able to Profit off of Zahra in some way, in the beginning.
For her to have a constant feed of Prescriptions .. something of that nature.  Once she married him, got him back to the States.. she Elisa went back to her normal routine. Drugs/Fraud/Abusive Behaviors.

Elisa telling her Street Buds, Hey man my kid has cancer, she is in pain. We cannot afford Medical Insurance.  You need to sell me that oxycodone for 1/2.. type of thing.

Elisa then stays High at a low discount price. Every time they move she finds a new supplier, using the same " Sob Story" and she gets a bonus of having Zahra's scripts too. And has a personal punching bag to release upon 24/7.   All is pure Evil behavior & believable.

Deeenie, your post said a lot. I think you are thinking some very good thoughts there.

I don't know if this is really how things came to be where they are today, but I would say she at the very least had ulterior motives.

Her Sisters have said she uses Drugs/had addictions with " Scripts", and that one post/comment from January 2010 " her myspace"  that I posted earlier.

Was a younger woman, early 20's that posted the comment -"We need to get together and smoke some this week" .. I am paraphrasing. It was written in phonics . or misspellings what have you.   

News article from AU

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/world/pond-drained-in-search-for-missing-zahra-baker/story-e6freoox-1225938728148

The only thing I wanted to share is:

The FBI has been called in to assist local police with the search and conduct any needed laboratory work.

--
I had not read that until now. That the FBI has been called in to assist.

Watching Marc Klaas tonight was very powerful. Usually NG cuts him off. Or she doesn't respect his time or him for that matter.

When he is attempting to answer her questions, she normally has to intercede and talk about her Twins.. 

I was very impressed with what he said and clarified to the public about Zahra the Girl and her life.

Not everyone is a Monkey and has been following Zahra's case from the hour it hit the media.

I give Huge Props to Marc Klaas Tonight.

Elisa Baker's son speaks out at vigil for missing Zahra

HICKORY, N.C. -- Zahra Baker's stepbrother made his first public statements Tuesday to a crowd of reporters at a candlelight vigil for his missing stepsister.

Douglas Proctor, the 22-year-old son of Elisa Baker, would not answer questions about charges against his mother, the ongoing homicide investigation, or allegations that Elisa Baker abused Zahra. "I can't really comment right now what's going on because I am still learning everything and it's a private matter right now between myself and my family," he said. "To all the people who helped us come out and look the other day, to all the messages that we've received, all the phone calls--it's not gone unnoticed."

He also thanked law enforcement officers investigating the case. "I just want everyone to know that we really appreciate everything and that we're not going to stop looking for Zahra. We'll go as long as it takes."

On Zahra, he said, "I think it would make her happy to see all this, but with that in mind, until anything changes, or we get any more facts, I am not really going to make any more statements."

Proctor personally thanked the pastor of East Hickory Baptist Church where about 300 people gathered on the lawn to pray for Zahra Baker.

Most people who attended--many with children--said they were strangers who'd been touched by the news of her disappearance.

"She lost a leg to cancer, she survived cancer twice," explained a tearful Teresa Brittain, who said she is currently having chemotherapy for cancer. "She was 10 years old, she had her life ahead of her, and we don't even know if it's taken away from her."

Debbie Fogle, whose son was murdered, urged the community to stand-in for Zahra's parents as this investigation unfolds. "This case is different. So I think as a community we need to rally around the child."

Lindsey Parker, a friend of Elisa Baker's biological daughter Brittany, took the microphone to tell the crowd that Brittany had often fought with her mother over Zahra.  She and other friends said the Department of Social Services was contacted.

"She was--she is--an absolutely beautiful child. And we don't know anything until she's found or she's found safe, and I pray that she's found safe," said another friend, Milly Humphrey.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Elisa-Bakers-son-speaks-out-at-vigil-for-missing-Zahra--104914834.html