The police in South Carolina have arrested two teenage girls for allegedly burning a 13-year-old girl to death. The two suspects, ages 15 and 16, were missing prior to their arrest. They both have a history of running away, as per the police report. The 16-year-old, who has “a history of disorderly conduct,” is wanted by the Department of Juvenile Justice for cutting off her ankle monitor. Additionally, the teen has not been to school since January 2024. The 15-year-old co-accused has not been to school since December 2024.
The Columbia Police Department found the charred body of the 13-year-old Ka’Niyah Baker on January 15, days after she was reported missing. The police described that the teen was killed in a “vicious” way while detailing that she was beaten, stabbed, and burnt.
According to the police, the fire department was responding to a fire at a vacant residence called 114 Cardamon Court in Capital Heights around 10:30 p.m. when they discovered the body. The fire department followed the smoke inside the property and found the deceased on the floor.
Columbia Police Chief Holbrook shared in a conference that the teen “suffered traumatic injuries to her face and body and had been severely burnt.” Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford disclosed that Baker was “bludgeoned, stabbed, and burnt” and died from blunt force trauma.
Baker, a resident of Sumter, was reported missing on January 12. The police reported that Baker frequently ran away from home in the past, and she was recently placed in foster care. According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Baker ran away from Auburnleaf Drive sometime between midnight and 6:00 p.m.
