Ten-year-old Rebekah Baptiste died in a Phoenix hospital after months of alleged abuse by her father, 32-year-old Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, 29-year-old Anicia Woods. Just three days before her death, she made her final attempt to escape.

On July 27, she was found “barely breathing” on a remote Arizona highway, showing signs of “torture-like” injuries, including a brain hemorrhage, burns, missing toenails, and severe bruising. She died three days later.

The family had moved from Phoenix to an off-grid yurt with no electricity or running water. Rebekah had tried to run away multiple times—once jumping from a window—and continued her escape attempts after the move. Woods, claiming nursing experience, never sought medical help. Baptiste admitted hitting her with a belt but denied causing head injuries.

Both face charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and child abuse, including abuse of Rebekah’s younger brothers, now in state custody. Relatives say they repeatedly warned Arizona’s Department of Child Safety, but “the agency ignored years of reports.”

Staff at Rebekah’s school say they reported concerns 12 times in 14 months, but DCS acknowledges only five. Her death has fueled public outrage and demands for child protection reform.