Elisa Baker Trial: Zahra Baker Parents Plead to Let Daughter Rest In Peace

By Justin Sarachik, Christian Post Reporter Friday, September 16, 2011

Missing 10-year-old North Carolina girl, Zahra Baker, has officially been announced dead after dismembered remains were found in a wooded area within a five mile radius of her home.

Zahra's stepmother, Elisa Baker, 43, has pleaded guilty to the murder in the second degree, and has now been sentenced to 14-18 years in prison.

The murder has been classified as an "undetermined homicidal violence."

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Zahra was first reported missing by her parents, Adam and Elisa Baker, on October 9th 2010, but in a recent claim in court, Elisa says she died on September 24th. Baker says she entered Zahra's room to feed her when she found her already dead.

Initially thought to be a kidnapping, Elisa Baker was also charged with forging a $1,000,000 ransom note.

Baker was previously charged with bigamy after marrying her second husband while still married to her first husband who lived across the street unbeknown to each other.

Some of Zahra's remains are still missing including her skull. A two time bone cancer survivor who lost most of her hearing and a leg, Zahra was frequently abused by her stepmother, family members said.

"I feel there will be no real justice for Zahra," said the girl's biological mother Emily Deitrich, who was living in her native Australia at the time of the murder. "Her life was taken by an evil selfishness … Part of Zahra is still out there... What I truly want to see is Zahra be given the dignity and respect she deserves."

It is unknown whether Zahra's father had anything to do with the murder or cover up. Elisa Baker has made claims that he did something "horrifying" to Zahra after she died.

Adam Baker had this to say about his daughter and wife, "Zahra will never get to go to high school, never have a real boyfriend, never get married and never have children.

"You have destroyed my life. You have also made my life hell with false accusations."

Mr. Baker faces his own accusations for a separate matter, identity theft and purchasing properties under false pretenses.