Apache County prosecutors have consolidated the cases against Richard Daniel Baptiste and Anicia Woods into one prosecution this October, a procedural move that followed a September ruling finding sufficient evidence to advance the matter to trial. The case stems from the death of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste, who was found unresponsive on a roadside near Holbrook on July 27, 2025, and died three days later at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Authorities have charged both Baptiste and Woods with a range of felonies tied to the child’s treatment, including first-degree murder, child abuse, kidnapping, molestation, and sexual conduct with a minor. The defendants initially were held on $1 million bonds each; bond status was later changed to no bond. Both entered not guilty pleas at an arraignment in September. A preliminary hearing in early September featured presentation of 95 pieces of evidence to the court, including medical reports and witness testimony, leading a judge on Sept. 6 to find probable cause to send the case to trial.

Investigations and reports released by the Arizona Department of Child Safety on Aug. 20 documented years of prior complaints and referrals concerning Rebekah’s welfare, information that has become central to public scrutiny. Local law enforcement also released body camera footage related to the case, drawing community attention to the circumstances in which Rebekah was found. According to law enforcement reports, when discovered she showed signs of malnutrition, dehydration, bruises, burns and injuries consistent with sexual abuse. Earlier in July, she made at least two attempts to escape the home and sought help from locals on July 9 and July 12, underscoring failures noted in the subsequent DCS summaries.

The case has prompted formal and informal responses across the region. Rebekah’s uncle, Damon Hawkins, has publicly criticized the Arizona Department of Child Safety for perceived lapses in protecting the child, and State Senator Carine Werner has convened stakeholder meetings aimed at strengthening custody protections and reviewing agency practices. Local communities, particularly in Holbrook and St. Johns, are grappling with the emotional fallout and a growing distrust of institutions charged with safeguarding children in rural areas.

Legal and investigative work continues. An autopsy report remained pending as of late 2025 and is expected to provide further detail on the official cause of death. Court proceedings have included the appointment of a new attorney for Baptiste at a September appearance, and a November status conference is expected to clarify scheduling and potential trial dates, with some projections pointing to mid-2026 for trial.

Beyond the courtroom, the larger questions raised by this case cut to systemic issues in child welfare: rural isolation, uneven access to social services, and the challenges state agencies face in monitoring and intervening in dispersed communities. For residents of Apache County, the merged prosecution and continuing investigations serve as a focal point for renewed calls for accountability, transparency and policy changes aimed at preventing future tragedies.