Two teenage girls, ages 16 and 15, have been charged with murder after allegedly beating, stabbing, and setting fire to a 13-year-old girl inside an empty house in Columbia, South Carolina. The crime has left local officials horrified, with Columbia Police Chief William “Skip” Holbrook describing it as “brutal, heinous, vicious, gruesome, monstrous, and disturbing” during a press conference.
The victim, Ka’Niyah Baker, was found dead after a fire at a vacant house on Cardamon Court last Wednesday night. According to police, Ka’Niyah had been reported missing on January 12, with the last known sighting of her nearly 20 miles from where she was later found. The coroner confirmed that her death was no accident, stating that she had been bludgeoned, stabbed, and burned.
Ka’Niyah was originally from Sumter but had been staying in foster care in Columbia. Police revealed that both suspects have a history of running away from home. The 16-year-old suspect had been reported missing on January 12 and had a history of violent behavior, including disorderly conduct and malicious injury.
She had also been wanted by the Department of Juvenile Justice for cutting off her ankle monitor. The second suspect, a 15-year-old girl, was also from Columbia and had been enrolled in a local high school, but she too had dropped out and was known for frequently running away.
Police Chief Holbrook explained that Ka’Niyah also had a history of running away. The cause of her death was blunt force trauma, and the investigation continues as police seek justice. While the motive behind the crime remains unclear, authorities are determined to find answers.
Initially, when Ka’Niyah was reported missing, local authorities sent out flyers on January 16, warning the public that she might be in danger. However, by then, she had already been found dead in the fire. The description of the young woman matched other missing teens, and the flyer was sent in the hope that she might still be alive.
This case has been particularly difficult for investigators, as the crime is deeply disturbing, leaving police officials struggling to understand how something so tragic could happen. “We’ve got some work to do with our system. We’ve got some work to do with our young people. There’s too much despair, and we’ve got to change that,” said Chief Holbrook.
As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and authorities are focusing on finding more details about the motive behind the brutal crime. Officials remain committed to bringing justice to Ka’Niyah and her family.
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