News Summary
The brutal murder of 13-year-old Ka’Niyah Baker has prompted prosecutor Byron Gipson to request a transfer of the case involving two teenage girls to criminal court. The girls, aged 15 and 16, are charged with murder following the discovery of Baker’s body in a burned house, with indications of stabbing and bludgeoning. The prosecutor’s move aims to hold them accountable as adults amidst community demands for justice. The case’s progression is contingent on judicial decisions regarding the transfer.
Columbia, SC – The brutal murder of 13-year-old Ka’Niyah Baker has led Columbia prosecutor Byron Gipson to seek a transfer of the case involving two teenage girls from family court to criminal court. This request comes amid increasingly intense calls from Baker’s grieving family and the community for justice. The prosecutor’s decision aims to allow the defendants, who are currently 15 and 16 years old, to be tried as adults for their alleged roles in the shocking and gut-wrenching crime.
Baker was reported missing just days before her body was discovered on January 15, 2025, in a burned house in Columbia. An investigation revealed that she had suffered signs of stabbing and bludgeoning, propelling authorities to categorize her death as a homicide. The police confirmed that Baker knew her attackers, but no motive for the crime has been publicly disclosed. Preliminary reports suggest that she may have been burned to death, complicating the already tragic circumstances surrounding her death.
Two teenage girls have been arrested in connection to Baker’s murder, with the older girl previously having a record of misbehavior. This young defendant was reportedly on the run from law enforcement and had removed her ankle monitor shortly before Baker’s body was found. While both girls have been charged with murder, their identities remain undisclosed, in accordance with juvenile court confidentiality protocols.
Solicitor Gipson’s intent to transfer the case is part of a broader effort to hold the defendants accountable for their actions effectively. The process of transferring juvenile cases to criminal court, known as the waiver process, has changed significantly in recent years. Typically, this process can take between eight to 14 months, during which evaluations such as assessments of the juveniles’ mental and physical health may take place.
Since 2018, family court judges in South Carolina have agreed to transfer 66 out of 120 requests for juvenile cases to criminal court, with 50 additional cases currently under review. The age of defendants in these cases has varied from 12 to 17, illustrating the complexities surrounding juvenile justice. If the judge approves the transfer, the case against the two teenage girls will move forward in the criminal justice system, where they will face adult charges.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office has officially ruled Baker’s death a homicide; however, details regarding the ongoing investigation have been kept under wraps. As authorities navigate the legal complexities associated with juvenile defendants, updates remain limited and are primarily contingent on whether the case advances to criminal court.
Law enforcement agencies are taking the situation very seriously, especially considering the tragic nature of Baker’s death. Public interest in the case is high, but since juvenile proceedings are confidential, community members may not receive further details until significant judicial decisions are made. The Department of Juvenile Justice, which will potentially handle the defendants if their case is transferred, has not provided additional information regarding its involvement in Baker’s case.
As the community mourns the loss of Ka’Niyah Baker and calls for justice intensify, the legal proceedings regarding this tragic case continue to unfold. The outcome of the transfer request and subsequent court decisions will be closely monitored, as they represent critical moments in the pursuit of justice for Baker and her family.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Columbia Girl Murder
- Kentucky.com: Politics and Government News
- ABC Columbia: Jump Shots for Justice
- Google Search: Juvenile Justice
- Corrections1: Audit of S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice
- Wikipedia: Juvenile Justice
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
