Authorities looking for a disabled N.C. girl searched a wood chipper and mulch piles overnight in perhaps a dismal sign of the case’s shift since it was declared a murder investigation Tuesday.
Investigators are looking for any sign of 10-year-old Zahra Baker, who was reported missing Saturday by her parents, but has apparently not been seen by anyone outside her immediate family in weeks, police said. The girl lost her left leg and hearing in a childhood battle with cancer.
Zahra’s stepmother, Elisa Baker, was already in custody on unrelated charges and admitted Tuesday to writing a $1 million ransom note in connection with the case. After that admission, she was charged with felony obstruction of justice. Baker is expected to appear in court today.
A lawyer for Elisa Baker said Tuesday his client claims she had nothing to do with Zahra’s disappearance.
“I spoke to her at 3 a.m. this morning. I went to see her at 7 a.m. this morning. She still hadn’t had any sleep,” attorney Scott Riley told ABC News’ Charlotte affiliate WSOC. “She’s very emotional, very upset.”
The wood chipper and nearby debris became the focus of the search after cadaver dogs made positive “hits” on the equipment Monday, officials told WSOC. Earlier, dogs signaled they had discovered signs of human remains in both vehicles belonging to the Bakers.
Police Chief Tom Adkins of Hickory, N.C., struggled to keep his composure Tuesday as he announced that he was canceling the Amber Alert for Zahra.
“The decision to focus this investigation from a missing child, or abducted child, will turn into a homicide investigation,” Adkins said between long pauses.
Full story: Zahra Baker Case: Cops Search Wood Chipper, Mulch Piles – ABC News