‘She didn’t deserve to die.’ Richland coroner discusses brutal death of 13-year-old
As authorities continue investigating the brutal murder of a 13-year-old girl in Richland County earlier this month, Coroner Naida Rutherford is concerned that too many people bring up that she was a runaway.
“It’s a cautionary tale for teens who may be running away and think that there is no danger in it, but I don’t like the fact that she was a runaway keeps being brought up,” Rutherford said. “She didn’t deserve to die.”
On Jan. 15, 13-year-old Ka’Niyah Baker, a reported runaway, was found dead inside a burning home, located at 114 Cardamon Court in Columbia. Authorities say she was brutally beaten and murdered.
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook announced on Jan. 18 the arrest of two teenage girls in connection with Baker’s murder. The juveniles were high school dropouts and runaways, Holbrook said during a news conference.
“Brutal, heinous, vicious, gruesome, monstrous and disturbing” are the words Holbrook used to describe Baker’s death.
“Upon our arrival, we determined that the deceased was a female and she had suffered traumatic injuries to her face and body and had been severely burned, Holbrook said during the news conference.
One of the juveniles charged in Baker’s murder was a frequent runaway and was reported missing by her mother on Jan. 12, according to Holbrook. The 16-year-old had a history of disorderly conduct, malicious injury, throwing bodily fluids and was wanted by the state Department of Juvenile Justice for cutting off her ankle monitor, according to Holbrook.
The 15-year-old suspect was also listed as a high school dropout and repeated runaway, Holbrook said.
Fifth Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson said he plans to charge the suspects as adults, pending a family court petition that has been delayed because of the court’s closing amid inclement weather.
“This is just not something you’d ever expect to be dealing with,” Gipson told The State, adding that his office is taking particular care to ensure justice is served.
An obituary online shows that Job’s Mortuary Inc., in Sumter, is handling arrangements for Baker. A date and time for her memorial service has not yet been announced.
