Overview

• Agency records show it received five reports from Empower College Prep over the past year but determined only one met the threshold for an investigation.
• Empower College Prep and Rebekah’s uncle say DCS ignored clear signs of torture and neglect despite repeated warnings.
• DCS has launched an internal review of its protocols and is cooperating with Apache County investigators probing the suspected murder.
• Richard Daniel Baptiste and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, remain held on first-degree murder, kidnapping and child abuse charges after medical exams revealed severe malnutrition, dehydration and evidence of torture.
• A Joint Legislative Oversight Committee will convene on September 3 to examine state child welfare safeguards following recent fatalities under DCS supervision.