News Summary
Community members in Holbrook, Arizona gathered to honor 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste, who tragically died from severe abuse injuries. Vigil attendees celebrated her memory, highlighting her potential as a kind and intelligent child. The girl’s father and his girlfriend have been arrested for her murder. The incident raises questions about child safety measures and the Department of Child Safety’s actions, as prior concerns were reported about the family’s well-being. The community seeks systemic changes to prevent future tragedies.
Holbrook, Arizona – Hundreds of community members gathered in pink on August 5 at Empower College Prep to honor 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste, who tragically passed away following severe injuries sustained earlier this month. Rebekah was found unresponsive on July 27 in Holbrook and was transported to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where she died on July 30.
Law enforcement has arrested Rebekah’s father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, charging them with first-degree murder and child abuse. Both individuals are currently in custody as the investigation continues. In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, family, friends, and teachers shared memories of Rebekah, describing her as a kind, curious, and intelligent child who aspired to become a teacher.
Empower’s Director of Student Services highlighted the importance of honoring Rebekah’s memory and the light she brought to the school community. The vigil included shared poetry and music, with attendees encouraged to celebrate Rebekah’s legacy by spreading kindness.
Rebekah had recently relocated with her family from Phoenix to Apache County at the beginning of July. She and her siblings were previously students at Empower College Prep and lived nearby. reports indicated that school officials had raised concerns regarding potential abuse and neglect about the Baptiste children to the Department of Child Safety (DCS) on 12 separate occasions between November 2023 and January 2025.
Rebekah’s fourth-grade teacher reported personal anecdotes that reflected their strong bond and insight regarding Rebekah’s struggles at home. The school officials criticized the DCS for inadequately addressing warnings about suspected abuse, arguing that timely interventions could have possibly prevented the tragedy.
According to investigators, Rebekah was discovered with evident signs of severe abuse, including brain bleeding, missing hair and toenails, burn marks, and numerous bruises. Authorities later found bloody clothing in the tent where Rebekah had been living with her father and Woods. It was revealed that the couple had been residing in a yurt without running water or electricity since early July, after having moved from Phoenix.
Rebekah’s parents lost custody of her before due to issues with drug abuse, yet Richard Baptiste regained custody of his children in recent years. This incident marks the third high-profile child murder case in Arizona linked to the DCS this year, raising significant concerns about the department’s oversight and response protocols.
A Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the DCS convened to review the guidelines and procedures following the deaths of Rebekah Baptiste and other children associated with the system. As the community continues to mourn, Rebekah’s preliminary hearing for her father and Woods is scheduled for September 4, when more details regarding the allegations and next steps will be addressed.
Rebekah Baptiste’s death has sparked considerable anger and frustration within the Holbrook community, with many calling for better protective measures for children at risk. Community members and educators continue to advocate for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future.
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Additional Resources
- AZ Central: Celebration of Life for Rebekah Baptiste
- Fox 10 Phoenix: New Details on Rebekah Baptiste’s Last Month
- Court TV: Family Demands Answers After Rebekah Baptiste’s Murder
- Wikipedia: Main Page
- Google Search: Rebekah Baptiste
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
