It seems that human remains may have been found in the Zahra Baker homicide. Custodial dad ADAM BAKER and the step have both been arrested on other charges, though not yet on homicide charges.
From the beginning, we have questioned who this father was, how he got custody back in Australia, and how he was able to leave Australia--a country that is famous for promoting "shared parenting" (for dads) and prosecuting mothers who leave for "kidnapping." We have wondered about his past history of abuse and/or criminal record. We have have wondered why this father was able to leave because he met some American chick on the Internet. No answers.
And what happened to this little girl's mother? Why the media blackout? Notice that it's taken over a month into this little girl's disappearance for the real mother to be even identified by name. If that's not symbolic of our culture's general disregard and disrespect for mothers, I don't know what is.
http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/news/2010/nov/11/11/investigators-digging-clues-search-zahra-ar-529180/
Possible remains found in Zahra disappearance
Hole dug, evidence taken at Dudley Shoals search site in Caldwell County
By Sarah Newell williamson
Published: November 11, 2010
Updated: November 11, 2010 - 1:19 PM
GRANITE FALLS --
When investigators searched the Dudley Shoals area in Caldwell County on Wednesday, they found possible human remains in connection with Zahra Baker’s homicide.
The evidence is being sent to the SBI lab in Raleigh to be analyzed. Hickory police is saying the evidence “could provide valuable information in the Zahra Baker case.”
When investigators searched the Dudley Shoals area in Caldwell County on Wednesday, they found possible human remains in connection with Zahra Baker’s homicide.
The evidence is being sent to the SBI lab in Raleigh to be analyzed. Hickory police is saying the evidence “could provide valuable information in the Zahra Baker case.”
On Wednesday, Gunpowder Creek was searched, as well as the brush along the banks. A BOB-CAT was also brought in to trim the brush farther up the banks. In one area, investigators searched about 10 feet from the banks of Gunpowder Creek. At this spot, there is now a two-and-a-half foot deep hole that gapes 10-feet wide. The hole is about 25 feet from the end of a paved access road.
The hole wasn’t visible on Wednesday, before law enforcement closed the road to traffic around mid-day. Inside this hole is a smaller, distinct, round hole in the dirt. All of the dirt from the hole was also taken with the investigators.
A white evidence flag was marked at the edge of the hole. At previous search sites, a white flag was used to mark bones.
There was a medical examiner from Chapel Hill who was on-hand at the search site Wednesday, according to officials on the scene.
The Dudley Shoals area has been searched at least twice before Wednesday in connection with Zahra Baker’s disappearance. On Oct. 25, Zahra’s stepmother, Elisa Baker, was spotted in a vehicle that was at the scene briefly.
Two women came to the site of the Dudley Shoals Road search on Thursday to see if investigators had found anything.
“I hope they find (Zahra). It gives you cold chills,” said Cristal Jackson. “There’s no telling what they’ve done to her. Everybody wants answers.”
Looking at the hole that was dug, Jackson said she thinks investigators may have found something of importance.
Her friend, Brandy Gragg, said she hopes Zahra can be put to rest.
“I just want them to find her,” she said. “I don’t see how anyone could do that to a child.”
On Thursday, investigators returned to the Christie Road location a few miles away. Earlier in the week, Hickory police had said they were finished with the site. New leads led them back there, though, resulting in the road being shut down while investigators continued their search.
Christie Road is where Zahra’s prosthetic leg was found on Oct. 26. A bone now being tested at the SBI lab was found there Nov. 3.
Hickory police would not comment on whether any evidence has come back from the SBI lab, saying they did not want to jeopardize the case.
Zahra, 10, has been missing for a month. She was first reported missing by her father, Adam Baker, on Oct. 9. On Oct. 12, the Amber Alert that was issued was cancelled and the case was changed to a homicide investigation. Someone outside of the family last saw Zahra on Sept. 25. Elisa, 42, is currently in jail for writing a false ransom note in which she demanded $1 million. Because of that, Elisa has been indicted on one count of felony obstruction of justice. She has also been arrested on several other charges unrelated to Zahra’s disappearance. Adam was arrested as well, for several charges unrelated to the case. He has since bonded out of jail.
Thursday morning, Zahra’s biological mother, Emily Dietrich, arrived in Catawba County.