‘Monstrous.’ Arrests made in the death of missing Columbia girl found beaten and burned

Two teenagers have been arrested in the death of a missing South Carolina girl, in a case described as “gruesome” and “monstrous,” the Columbia Police Department announced at a news conference Saturday.

Firefighters found the body of Ka’Niyah Baker, 13, inside an unoccupied home in northeast Columbia shortly before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday after responding to a small structure fire in the 100 block of Cardamon Court..

Baker’s death was a “horrible” homicide, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said. She died from blunt force trauma after being bludgeoned, stabbed and burned.

“Brutal. Heinous. Vicious. Gruesome. Monstrous. Disturbing. These are the words I use to describe this murder investigation,” Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said.

Two suspects in Baker’s death were arrested overnight.

The first is a 16-year-old girl whose last known address was in Columbia, Holbrook said. The girl has a history of disorderly conduct, malicious injury, throwing bodily fluids and was wanted by the Department of Juvenile Justice for cutting off her ankle monitor. She was last enrolled at a local high school earlier this month but was listed as having recently dropped out. She was reported missing by her mother on Jan. 12 and is a frequent runaway, according to police.

The second is a 15-year-old girl from Columbia who had also been enrolled in a local high school as of December and was also a frequent runaway.

Fifth Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson said the two suspects were charged with murder.

When police found Baker’s body, they could tell she had suffered “traumatic” injuries to her face and body, and had been severely burned, Holbrook said.

It was these injuries that made her body difficult to identify, Rutherford said.

“Even the pictures that they sent of her just did not seem to match up due to severe trauma to her head, face and body,” Rutherford said. Visual identification was not possible; law enforcement had to use DNA from clothing and dental records.

Baker had been reported missing Jan. 12, and was last seen Monday on Auburnleaf Drive in Hopkins, about 15 miles from where her body was found, according to information released Thursday by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Originally from Sumter, she was in foster care in Columbia and had a history of running away, officials said.

Police are unsure whether other arrests will be made.

“Ka’Niyah’s death has shaken me at my core,” Columbia City Manager Teresa 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.”

Columbia officials encouraged residents in need during this challenging time to reach out for support, saying the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement is available for anyone needing assistance in grief, as well as resources to help reduce youth violence in our community. To contact the office, contact NeighborhoodSafety@ColumbiaSC.gov.

“This is a tragedy that should have never occurred in District 2 or anywhere in our community,” District 2 City Councilman Edward McDowell Jr. 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.”

This story was originally published January 18, 2025 at 6:38 PM with the headline "‘Monstrous.’ Arrests made in the death of missing Columbia girl found beaten and burned."

Alexa Jurado

The State

Alexa Jurado is a news reporter for The State covering Lexington County and Richland County schools. She previously wrote about the University of South Carolina and contributes to this coverage. A Chicago suburbs native, Alexa graduated from Marquette University and previously wrote for publications in Illinois and Wisconsin. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Milwaukee Press Club and the South Carolina Press Association.