Ka’Niyah Baker: 13-Year-Old Teen Found Stabbed and Burned To Death
According to police, Ka’Niyah Baker, 13, originally from Sumter, South Carolina, had been missing from foster care since January 12, 2025. She had been living in Columbia but was known to run away, officials said.
it would be her last time.
On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, her burned body was found in an abandoned home in the residential area of the city. Police had been responding to reports about a house fire when they made the gruesome discovery.
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook saidKa’Niyah was bludgeoned, stabbed and burned to death.
“Brutal. Heinous. Vicious. Gruesome. Monstrous. Disturbing. These are the words I use to describe this murder investigation,” Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said.
The victim had suffered “traumatic” injuries to her face and body, which made identification difficult, according to authorities.
“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,” Richmond County Coroner Nada Rutherford said.
On Saturday police announced the arrest of two teenage girls 15 and 16, in connection with the murder. Both are runaways.
The 16-year-old girl has a history of disorderly conduct, malicious injury, “throwing bodily fluids” and more, according to police.
The second suspect was last enrolled in a local high school but had run away as well.
“Our hearts are broken after this tragic and senseless loss of a young, beautiful soul,” said Tyler D. Bailey, At-Large City Councilman. “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.”
The Capitol Heights community, along with our city, grieves with the Baker family as we struggle with the finality of this loss. We recognize the deep pain and anguish that such a tragedy causes, and we stand united in the belief that no one should ever face this type of grief alone.
City Manager Teresa Wilson adds, “Ka’Niyah’s death has shaken me at my core. 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 encourage anyone in need of grief counseling or resources to help reduce youth violence in the community to contact the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement at NeighborhoodSafety@ColumbiaSC.gov.