COLUMBIA, S.C. — Columbia Police said on Saturday that they have arrested two teens in the gruesome death of a missing 13-year-old found dead in a vacant home on Wednesday night.
Police Chief Skip Holbrook described the killing of Ka'Niyah Baker as "heinous, vicious and monstrous," deferring to Coroner Naida Rutherford, who provided details on how the teen died.
"The manner of death is not an accident, and this is not a suicide," Rutherford said during the press conference. "This is a horrible homicide."
Rutherford said that even when they were provided pictures of the victim while trying to identify Baker, those pictures "didn't seem to match up." She said it took DNA evidence to prove the deceased was the missing child.
"Ka'Niyah was bludgeoned, stabbed, and burned," Rutherford said, adding that her cause of death was blunt force trauma.
According to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, Ka'Niyah Baker was last seen in the Hopkins area on Jan. 13. The department later alerted the public that they believed she was in danger. Police said she was originally from Sumter and was in foster care in the Columbia area.
On Wednesday, Columbia Police were called to a vacant home on Cardamon Court, where Columbia-Richland Fire crews found Baker while responding to fire reports. Police ruled the death suspicious and later confirmed that Baker's death was being investigated as a murder.
Holbrook said police arrested a 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl in connection with the case overnight Friday into Saturday. He said the 16-year-old was reported missing by her mom on Jan. 12 and has a history of disorderly conduct, malicious injury and other crimes. At the time, she was wanted by the Department of Juvenile Justice after allegedly cutting off her ankle monitor. Police said the 15-year-old was a frequent runaway who dropped out of high school.
While neither was identified by name at the press conference, 5th Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson said his office intends to petition the family court to charge both as adults.
As the investigation continues, Chief Holbrook has a message for parents amid ongoing violent crime around the region involving minors.
"I think you gotta be nosy and be involved in your children's lives and know where they are, who they're with, and what they're doing," he said.
Columbia officials react
On Saturday night, multiple city leaders released statements in connection to Baker's death. Among them was City Manager Teresa Wilson.
“Ka’Niyah’s death has shaken me at my core," Wilson said. "In our beautiful city with so much growth and prosperity, we must continue to ensure that all of our children are protected and surrounded with the resources they deserve and a sense of hope, no matter their circumstances.”
Councilmembers spoke on the crime, including District II City Councilman Edward McDowell Jr.
“This is a tragedy that should have never occurred in District 2 or anywhere in our community,” he said. “The pain we feel as a city is profound, but it’s in these moments that we must reflect on our collective responsibility. As a community, we must remain accountable, vigilant, and aware of our surroundings. Every one of us has a role in protecting our youth and shaping a future where such tragedies do not happen. We must be active agents of change and oversight for our young people, and we must come together to support their well-being.”
At-large City Councilman Tyler Bailey also shared his thoughts and demanded community action.
“Our hearts are broken after this tragic and senseless loss of a young, beautiful soul,” he said. “As a community, we must come together to protect our children. All local agencies must continue to work together so we can better protect our children as a community. I extend my sincerest condolences to family and friends of Ka’Niyah Baker.”