Zahra Clare Baker #11 9/17/11 -

[Northern Rose]

Search continues after remains found in Caldwell County (video)

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Deputies sent the remains to the state's bureau of investigation lab for testing and Thursday morning the search continues for more evidence.

AirStar 36 flew over the scene at Winkler Way in Caldwell County Tuesday -- that's where hunters found the skull just north of Lenoir in an area where Zahra Baker's body was thought to be

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NewsChannel 36 has learned they'll focus their attention on a half mile area off of Winkler Way near NC Highway 268.

http://www.wcnc.com/news/neighborhood-news/Search-continues-in-Cal-148064935.html

[grace-land]

http://www.wbtv.com/story/17589273/caldwell-search-ends-no-more-remains-found

Caldwell search ends, no more remains found
Posted: Apr 19, 2012 5:28 PM CDT Updated: Apr 19, 2012 5:34 PM CDT

CALDWELL COUNTY, NC (WBTV) – Search teams combed hillsides, wooded areas, and creek banks in the Yadkin Valley area of Caldwell County Thursday looking for more bone fragments after a skull was found in the area Tuesday morning.

A turkey hunter came across the skull about 30 yards off of Winkler Way, a gravel road that connects with Highway 268. In a sheriff's department recording the hunter is clear about what he saw.

"I found a human skull, small in size," he said. When asked by the sheriff's office if he was sure it was a human skull he answered "yes, it is."
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That stepmother, Elisa Baker, led authorities to three areas where she said remains were disposed of. Skeletal remains were found in two of the places but officials said the girl's skull was never found.

Baker pled guilty to second degree murder and sentenced to more than 15 years in prison. She pled guilty to federal drug charges in January and is still awaiting sentencing.
 
Winkler Way, where the skull was found, is about four miles from one place where Baker said remains of Zahra were dumped in September, 2010.

Investigators said the skull has been sent to the State Bureau of Investigations lab in Raleigh where DNA tests will be used in hopes of establishing an I-D. "Nothing has been ruled out, "said Sheriff Alan Jones.
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No word yet on when test results will be back but officials think it will be a few weeks.

[grace-land]

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2012/apr/19/dedication-zahras-playground-may-19-ar-2184176/

Dedication of Zahra's Playground May 19
Work still needed on flooring, memorial plaza, giant slide.
By: Sarah Newell williamson | Hickory Daily Record
Published: April 19, 2012 Updated: April 19, 2012 - 5:48 PM

HICKORY, N.C. --
Although the Zahra Baker All Children’s Playground still has a lot of work to be done before it’s completed, that doesn’t stop people from driving by to get a glimpse of the facility.

In a month, they’ll get the opportunity to set foot in the park, with children allowed to play at the playground worth an estimated $500,000.
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The Zahra Baker All Children’s Playground will open on May 19 at 11 a.m., following a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication that’s open to the community.
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[Northern Rose]

Crews search where suspected Zahra skull found

LENOIR N.C. --
It was a reunion of sorts for the officers, agents and rescue workers who gathered to search along Winkler Way on Thursday. They were in Caldwell County’s Patterson community to search the areas surrounding the place where a hunter found what he described as a small skull Tuesday morning. Amid rampant speculation that the skull belonged to 10-year-old Zahra Baker, the search teams soured the land for additional remains or clues. Many hadn’t seen each other since October 2010 when they’d done the same work in three other Caldwell County locations when Elisa Baker led officers and agents there with the claim that she was going to show them where Adam Baker had disposed his dismembered daughter.

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he fervent hope among law enforcement is that the hunter who called the sheriff’s office just before 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning has finally found the skull. It may hold clues to how Zahra was killed.

“I’ve been turkey hunting this morning and right near the Winkler Way gravel road, I found a human skull,” the caller tells the county dispatcher. “Small in size, you know, I’m not going to go there. I can explain it to the officer when they get there. You know, I’ve been through that area within like say last fall or last year and really not noticed it.”

He tells the dispatcher he left the skull where it was. Asked if he’s pretty sure it’s human, he answered, “Ahh, yes, it is – well – it’s either that or a monkey.”

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They gathered for prayer before beginning their search.

“I asked to put closure on this (Zahra case) for all our minds and that all of the searchers out here today would not be harmed,” said Caldwell County Sheriff Alan Jones.

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http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2012/apr/19/crews-search-where-suspected-zahra-skull-found-ar-2184245/

[KittyMom]

I feel for the guy that found the skull.  It would be difficult to cope with.

[grace-land]

It would be difficult to cope with, especially if he has children or has heard about Zahra. 

[grace-land]

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/police-ask-sbi-make-dna-testing-skull-priority/nMdnz/

Posted: 11:52 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2012
Police ask SBI to make DNA testing on skull a priority

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. —
Police have asked the SBI to make DNA testing on a skull found in Caldwell County a priority to see if it is connected to the murder of 10-year-old Zahra Baker.

A hunter discovered the skull in a wooded area near Winkler Way earlier this week. In a 911 call, the hunter said the skull was small in size.
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Police said the earliest the test could come back is Monday, but it could take up to two months before they have the results.
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[Sister]

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/police-ask-sbi-make-dna-testing-skull-priority/nMdnz/

Posted: 11:52 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2012
Police ask SBI to make DNA testing on skull a priority

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. —
Police have asked the SBI to make DNA testing on a skull found in Caldwell County a priority to see if it is connected to the murder of 10-year-old Zahra Baker.

A hunter discovered the skull in a wooded area near Winkler Way earlier this week. In a 911 call, the hunter said the skull was small in size.
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Police said the earliest the test could come back is Monday, but it could take up to two months before they have the results.
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It is unfortunate it takes so long for these tests.  But it is what it is.

[KittyMom]

It is what it is until we come together and change things.  I'm sick of seeing where the government spends millions on advertising govt programs and govt money is spent on stupid research.  Cut all the unnecessary, idiotic spending and fund programs that will benefit society as a whole.

[grace-land]

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2012/apr/21/zahra-movie-works-ar-2191539/

Zahra movie in the works
Published: April 21, 2012

HICKORY, North Carolina --
The story of Zahra Baker’s murder is about to become a feature film. Independent film producers have teamed with a local screenwriter known as Douglas Whittington who penned “The Last Autumn …. The Zahra Baker Story,” in January.

The story is, “based on real facts of the case, from public records and newspaper articles,” according to a media release issued by producer Dorothy Houston. “This is a story in honor of Zahra Baker, to be told nationally, in hope to raise awareness of such horrific abuse, to bring attention to the importance and help improve laws regarding such horrible crimes against children.”

Ralph Singleton has signed on to produce and direct the movie. Singleton has produced several movies including “Because of Winn-Dixie,” “Last Man Standing” and “Clear and Present Danger.” He was an assistant director on multiple films including “Taxi Driver,” “Three Days of the Condor” and “Death Wish.”

Maxann Crotts-Harvey will be producing as well. Crotts-Harvey is best known as a casting director and has cast actors in nearly 40 films including, “Juwanna Mann,” “The Patriot” and “Black Dog.”
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[Sister]

It is what it is until we come together and change things.  I'm sick of seeing where the government spends millions on advertising govt programs and govt money is spent on stupid research.  Cut all the unnecessary, idiotic spending and fund programs that will benefit society as a whole.

I agree with you.

[Northern Rose]

Thieves target memorial honoring Zahra Baker

Thieves targeted a memorial in Caldwell County that remembers 10-year-old Zahra Baker. 

Someone stole several items from the memorial along Christy Road, which is the area where police discovered the girl’s remains in the fall of 2010.

Shortly after Zahra Baker’s death, the community came together to create the memorial.  They wanted not only to remember Zahra, but also to remind others of the importance of reporting child abuse.  Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the girl’s death.

But recently, someone took two angels and a family Bible from the memorial.

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http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/thieves-target-memorial-honoring-zahra-baker/nNPXS/

[grace-land]

http://www2.wnct.com/news/2012/may/03/increased-police-presence-zahra-baker-memorial-fol-ar-2238636/

Increased police presence at Zahra Baker memorial following thefts
By: WNCT Staff | WNCT
Published: May 03, 2012 Updated: May 03, 2012 - 8:51 AM

LENOIR, N.C. - Police in Caldwell County say an increased presence will be evident near the Zahra Baker memorial.

Their response follows the theft of an angel statue and family Bible from the site.

That statue was a replacement for another statue that was stolen back in February.

The man who led efforts to have the memorial built told police he goes by the site every day and noticed the items missing.
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[grace-land]

    

Video at link

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/stolen-statues-returned-site-zahra-baker-memorial/nNWbN/

Posted: 5:02 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2012
Stolen statues returned to site of Zahra Baker memorial

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. —
Someone mysteriously returned two statues that had been stolen from a memorial honoring 10-year-old Zahra Baker.

The memorial was built by community members in the girl’s memory after her remains were found in the area in the fall of 2010. Her stepmother, Elisa Baker, pleaded guilty in her death.

Earlier this week, two angel statues and a family Bible were taken from the memorial along Christy Road in Caldwell County.

The two statues were recovered about 200 yards away from the memorial. They were spotted there by a man who helped with the memorial. The statues were sitting next to each other, just a few feet off the roadway, when he found them.
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[Sister]

   

Video at link

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/stolen-statues-returned-site-zahra-baker-memorial/nNWbN/

Posted: 5:02 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2012
Stolen statues returned to site of Zahra Baker memorial

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. —
Someone mysteriously returned two statues that had been stolen from a memorial honoring 10-year-old Zahra Baker.

The memorial was built by community members in the girl’s memory after her remains were found in the area in the fall of 2010. Her stepmother, Elisa Baker, pleaded guilty in her death.

Earlier this week, two angel statues and a family Bible were taken from the memorial along Christy Road in Caldwell County.

The two statues were recovered about 200 yards away from the memorial. They were spotted there by a man who helped with the memorial. The statues were sitting next to each other, just a few feet off the roadway, when he found them.
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Thank goodness someone's conscience got to them.

[grace-land]

Yes, it's good that the person followed his/her conscience. 

Zahra's Playground is scheduled to be dedicated/opened on Saturday, May 19.  How wonderful for the children of the community!

[grace-land]

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2012/may/17/no-answers-yet-what-may-be-zahra-bakers-skull-ar-2289580/

No answers yet on what may be Zahra Baker's skull
Deputy: “... If it’s not her then we’ve got a whole new problem on our hands.”
Published: May 17, 2012

HICKORY, N.C. -- It’s been a month and we still don’t know if the skull and bones found in Caldwell County are Zahra Baker’s remains.

“They’re still working on it, and we’re still waiting,” said Sgt. B.J. Fore of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office. “We’re on pins and needles, too, because if it’s not her then we’ve got a whole new problem on our hands.”

A turkey hunter found a small skull and bones about 20 to 30 yards off Winkler Way off N.C. 268 on the morning of April 17. The skeletal remains were sent to the Carolina State Bureau of Investigation’s lab for testing. The remains had not been buried.

“The age and condition of the items to be tested dictate the kinds of testing procedures that have to be done and some tests take longer than others,” said Deputy Chief Clyde Deal of the Hickory Police Department.

Initially, some thought that the DNA test results would be complete within two weeks of the discovery, but that timeframe has proven overly optimistic.

“We thought it would be at least a month before we would know because DNA takes a while to come back,” Fore said. “We’re in contact with our resident SBI agent three or four times a week, and he checks with the lab for us.”
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[grace-land]

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2012/may/17/final-preparations-zahra-park-ar-2289604/

Zahra park nearly done, ribbon cutting Saturday
Published: May 17, 2012

Hickory, N.C. -- The grand opening of the new Hickory playground inspired by and named after Zahra Baker will be on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Buzz Bakewell Jr., of Morganton-based Protect it First, spent Thursday morning making some final preparations to the park’s equipment at the Zahra Baker All Children’s Playground.

The Protect it First crew applied a long-lasting anti-microbial spray to all of the surfaces that children will come in contact with.

“What drew us here is the horrific nature of this crime and the fact that we’ve got a product that will help protect these kids,” Bakewell said. “We did this at no cost to anybody.”

The crew recently returned from Chicago where they applied their product, known as Sterile Coat, to the White Sox facilities including the team’s training room and locker room.

If an adult or child with a cold touches any of the treated surfaces, the chemicals are designed to break down any microbes left behind. The surfaces are safe to eat off after the application is dry and the coating is expected to continue working for two to four years, Bakewell said.
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[Sister]

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2012/may/17/final-preparations-zahra-park-ar-2289604/

Zahra park nearly done, ribbon cutting Saturday
Published: May 17, 2012

Hickory, N.C. -- The grand opening of the new Hickory playground inspired by and named after Zahra Baker will be on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Buzz Bakewell Jr., of Morganton-based Protect it First, spent Thursday morning making some final preparations to the park’s equipment at the Zahra Baker All Children’s Playground.

The Protect it First crew applied a long-lasting anti-microbial spray to all of the surfaces that children will come in contact with.

“What drew us here is the horrific nature of this crime and the fact that we’ve got a product that will help protect these kids,” Bakewell said. “We did this at no cost to anybody.”

The crew recently returned from Chicago where they applied their product, known as Sterile Coat, to the White Sox facilities including the team’s training room and locker room.

If an adult or child with a cold touches any of the treated surfaces, the chemicals are designed to break down any microbes left behind. The surfaces are safe to eat off after the application is dry and the coating is expected to continue working for two to four years, Bakewell said.
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Thank you for the updates, grace-land.  Zahra is so proud!

[grace-land]

"They (children) laughed and played.." 
What a happy day!  Zahra is probably smiling as she watches the children play--her goodness continues! 

http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2012/may/19/hickory-unveils-zahra-baker-memorial-playground-ar-2293961/

Hickory unveils Zahra Baker memorial playground
Published: May 19, 2012 Updated: May 19, 2012 - 2:29 PM

HICKORY, N.C.

The city held a ribbon-cutting to dedicate the Zahra Baker memorial playground’s official opening Saturday morning. As soon as the ribbon was cut, dozens of children flooded onto the playground. They laughed and played as the adults lingered at the entrance to read the bronze plaque. It is inscribed with her portrait and the words, “Zahra, You Touched Us 1999 – 2010.”

Some children sprinted and others rolled their wheelchairs over the spongy rubber safety surface covering the ground under the new bright equipment. The initials ZB marked the entrance to the play structure. Up to four children slid down the 50-foot-long hillside slide at once.

The children may have been unaware that the playground’s namesake was a cancer survivor who lost her left leg, part of her lung and much of her hearing to the disease. It was in recognition of her struggles that the playground amenities were designed to accommodate both able-bodied and special-needs children alike.

A pair of wheelchair-bound sisters, Megan, 16, and Morgan Bibbee, 9, sat side-by-side with matching grins as they took a ride in a giant purple boat-shaped piece of equipment as their father rocked it back and forth. From there, it was on to the wheelchair-accessible swings.

“They were the first ones on the boat – they loved it,” said their father Kevin Bibbee. “There’s nothing like this in the area. This is really special.”

He reflected for a moment as his daughters enjoyed the swings: “Zahra wanted to be like the other children even though she was different, and that’s just how we want to be treated.”
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