11-12-2010, 06:09 PM
From WHKY News:
Police Announce DNA Match in Baker Case
11/12/2010 4:46:00 PM
Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins addressed a large group of media at the Hickory Police Department at four o’clock this afternoon to announce that the search for missing 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker has apparently come to an end.
Adkins said that sufficient physical evidence has been recovered to say with certainty that Zahra has been found. DNA from the bone fragment found near Christie Road on November 3 matches DNA taken from the Baker’s former home at 21 21st Avenue N.W. in Hickory.
The Chief went on to say that a Medical Examiner on the scene when human remains were found off of Dudley Shoals Road Wednesday was able to determine that the remains were consistent with a child matching Zahra’s description.
A DNA profile is currently being created from swabs taken from Zahra’s biological parents, Adam Troy Baker and Emily Deitrich. Deitrich arrived in Hickory from Australia earlier this week. Those samples will be tested to confirm a match with the evidence recovered in Caldwell County.
With Caldwell County Police Chief Alan Jones and District Attorney Jay Gaither at his side, Chief Adkins stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that very little additional information will be released. The room was quiet, apart from Chief Adkins voice and the sound of multiple cameras. Neither DA Gaither or Chief Jones spoke at the press conference.
Zahra Baker was first reported missing on October 9, though Investigators believe she may have been dead for some time prior to that date.
Her stepmother, 42-year-old Elisa Annette Baker, remains in the Catawba County Detention Facility under $70,200 secured bond. She is charged with obstruction of justice for writing a fake ransom note, as well as other charges unrelated to this case. Adam Baker was arrested on unrelated warrants on October 25, but was released after posting bail on October 27.
The Children’s Protection Council of Catawba County will host a candlelight vigil in honor of Zahra Baker next Tuesday, November 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. The vigil will be held on Union Square in downtown Hickory. November 16 would have been Zahra Baker’s 11th birthday.
Any gifts brought to the vigil will be donated to Cops for Tots.
For more information, contact the Children’s Protection Council at 828-465-9297 or visit www.cpcocatawbacounty.org.
Police Announce DNA Match in Baker Case
11/12/2010 4:46:00 PM
Hickory Police Chief Tom Adkins addressed a large group of media at the Hickory Police Department at four o’clock this afternoon to announce that the search for missing 10-year-old Zahra Clare Baker has apparently come to an end.
Adkins said that sufficient physical evidence has been recovered to say with certainty that Zahra has been found. DNA from the bone fragment found near Christie Road on November 3 matches DNA taken from the Baker’s former home at 21 21st Avenue N.W. in Hickory.
The Chief went on to say that a Medical Examiner on the scene when human remains were found off of Dudley Shoals Road Wednesday was able to determine that the remains were consistent with a child matching Zahra’s description.
A DNA profile is currently being created from swabs taken from Zahra’s biological parents, Adam Troy Baker and Emily Deitrich. Deitrich arrived in Hickory from Australia earlier this week. Those samples will be tested to confirm a match with the evidence recovered in Caldwell County.
With Caldwell County Police Chief Alan Jones and District Attorney Jay Gaither at his side, Chief Adkins stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that very little additional information will be released. The room was quiet, apart from Chief Adkins voice and the sound of multiple cameras. Neither DA Gaither or Chief Jones spoke at the press conference.
Zahra Baker was first reported missing on October 9, though Investigators believe she may have been dead for some time prior to that date.
Her stepmother, 42-year-old Elisa Annette Baker, remains in the Catawba County Detention Facility under $70,200 secured bond. She is charged with obstruction of justice for writing a fake ransom note, as well as other charges unrelated to this case. Adam Baker was arrested on unrelated warrants on October 25, but was released after posting bail on October 27.
The Children’s Protection Council of Catawba County will host a candlelight vigil in honor of Zahra Baker next Tuesday, November 16 from 6 to 7 p.m. The vigil will be held on Union Square in downtown Hickory. November 16 would have been Zahra Baker’s 11th birthday.
Any gifts brought to the vigil will be donated to Cops for Tots.
For more information, contact the Children’s Protection Council at 828-465-9297 or visit www.cpcocatawbacounty.org.