HOLBROOK, AZ (AZFamily) -- Newly obtained records are revealing more details about what led up to the death of 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste, and authorities' interactions with her biological father and his girlfriend.
Arizona's Family obtained a 33-page incident report from The Navajo County Sheriff's Office detailing law enforcement interactions with Rebekah's father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Wood, and graphic details of the girl's injuries, which prosecutors say were the result of prolonged physical and sexual abuse.
The first report from law enforcement was taken on the night of July 27, when Rebekah was found unresponsive before she died three days later in Phoenix.
Navajo County Sheriff's Office deputies interviewed Richard in Holbrook, who noted that he had moved to Concho, a rural community about 48 miles southeast of Holbrook in Apache County, about three weeks prior. During that talk, Richard mentioned his father was supposed to move to the property but was arrested on July 6 on drug possession charges.
Richard reportedly told detectives that he had moved from Phoenix after the death of his great-uncle, and that only he and his father could take care of the property. He explained that his children's biological mother had been separated about nine years ago because of her drug abuse problems. On that property, they were living in a yurt, a small, circular, domed structure built with a wooden frame with limited access to electricity and water.
The report also revealed that Richard had previous involvement with the Arizona Department of Child Safety "due to allegations of abuse, neglect and possible sexual abuse." He said that those claims were untrue, that his kids were in therapy and Rebekah had tried to run away in Phoenix.
Richard explained the children's routine, which included waking up around 7 a.m. and starting their day around 9 or 10 a.m. According to deputies, he also talked about having a bedtime routine, and detectives asked about recent runaway attempts involving Rebekah in Concho, which happened three separate times.
When addressing the runaway instances, Richard admitted to spanking with a belt the second time it happened. While it was a common discipline method in their house, he said it was "a last resort in most circumstances," paperwork said.
He also denied any physical abuse and said that bruises and other injuries were because of falls and crawling through barbed wire. Detectives would later describe some of the bruises as "unimaginable."
Detectives noted that Richard seemed to express "minimal concern" for Rebekah's well-being and explained that he had tried to get her help with her behavioral issues. He explained the challenges of parenting her compared to her brothers, and while he described Rebekah as "smart and helpful," she was stubborn and wanted to run away.
During that conversation, he explained that some of his daughter's injuries were because of running away and likely falling into a wash. Richard also claimed that Wood watched the kids while he was at work and that they typically stayed inside during the hottest part of the day. He also stated that no one else was caring for or supervising the children while he was away.
Authorities also asked about the previous sex abuse allegations, and Richard said it came from an unsubstantiated claim during Rebekah's time in a foster home. In that report, deputies said he expressed his "willingness to cooperate with law enforcement, though several of his responses seemed to be deflections."
Deputies said they later found injuries on Rebekah consistent with possible sex abuse after she was taken to the hospital on July 27.
Further questions from authorities detailed Richard's substance abuse, admitting that he drank alcohol and smoked marijuana but kept them locked away when not in use. When investigators questioned why Rebekah might've wanted to run away, he speculated about possibly wanting to see a neighbor or find a community well for help or water.
In the report, deputies said the girl would be found dehydrated after running away. Investigators also detailed that she had difficulty drinking water, and in cases, would have someone pour water into her mouth.
Detectives also questioned about the inconsistencies between Rebekah's injuries and the supposed reasons behind them. Richard also acknowledged that they used "a bucket and cup for showering due to the lack of a proper shower."
Investigators also told Richard about the "seriousness of the situation," and the resulting criminal charges that could arise should Rebekah die, and Richard reportedly "expressed minimal concern about losing his daughter and facing potential charges."
The report also detailed how detectives showed Richard his daughter's injuries, telling him he could do this to her. He replied, "It wasn't supposed to do that." He also said he "didn't deserve to be a dad" but maintained nearly no emotion despite admitting to using excessive force, according to investigators.
During an interview with Wood, she reported that they met at a call center in Phoenix, where they worked together and had been together for about four years. Investigators asked Wood about her time in Phoenix and asked for more details on Rebekah's injuries. She initially claimed she didn't know how they happened, but later said she was unsure of her role since Richard disciplined the girl.
Detectives then asked her what would happen if someone injured a 10-year-old girl, and she reportedly said that she didn't know, but maybe "some jail time." Wood later admitted to using a belt and "causing some of the bruises," the sheriff's office said.
Wood said she worked as a certified nursing assistant in California and didn't think Rebekah needed medical help with her numerous injuries, saying she thought the girl would be fine.
Despite the severity of Rebekah's condition, the report reveals that she didn't call 911 right away. Woods told investigators that she had trouble calling first responders due to poor cellphone service in the area. However, deputies questioned this claim, noting that they had no issues using their phones in the same location. Woods also admitted to changing Rebekah's clothes before seeking help, further delaying care.
Arizona's Family Investigates later obtained the 911 calls, which show Woods identifying herself as Rebekah's mother during the call and said Rebekah wasn't breathing. However, her tone lacked urgency during the emergency, something investigators in the NCSO report also noted.
She said during the 911 call that they were on their way to an EMS station in Holbrook and she was putting her mouth around Rebekah's and breathing in her mouth. The 911 dispatcher told her to pull over.
First responders arrived a short time later at the intersection of Highway 77 and Highway 180, and Rebekah was rushed to a nearby hospital before being flown to Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Once in the Valley, she was declared brain dead due to bleeding and swelling, the report said. She was placed on life support due to no brain activity. She died on July 30.
Wood and Richard have since been charged with her murder and child abuse in connection with Rebekah's two younger brothers.
Arizona's Family Investigates later uncovered that the school the three kids attended in Phoenix, Empower College Prep, had raised concerns and called DCS, alleging abuse. School officials said they called DCS 13 times about Rebekah.
DCS responded by saying the school called five times and that only one was investigated because the rest didn't meet all the requirements.