Sumter, S.C. – The tragic death of 13-year-old Ka’Niyah Baker, a young Black girl from Sumter, South Carolina, has shaken the community and sparked an outpouring of grief and calls for justice.
Ka’Niyah was reported missing on January 12. Just three days later, her body was discovered inside a vacant home in Capital Heights after a fire broke out around 10:30 p.m. Authorities have since confirmed that she had been stabbed before the fire was set.
On investigation, police arrested two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, in connection with Ka’Niyah’s death. Both are now facing serious charges, including murder, as officials continue to piece together what led to this senseless tragedy.
“This is a heartbreaking and horrific case,” said a spokesperson from the local police department. “A young life was taken in an act of unimaginable violence, and our hearts go out to Ka’Niyah’s family.”
Ka’Niyah’s family had been desperately searching for her after she ran away from home. The discovery of her body not only confirmed their worst fears, but also raised serious concerns about the circumstances leading to her death and the role other teenagers may have played.
Community leaders and activists have expressed sorrow and outrage over the loss, highlighting the vulnerability of young girls—especially Black girls—who go missing and the systemic failures that often surround such cases.
A memorial for Ka’Niyah has begun to form near the site of the fire, where candles, flowers, and messages of love now sit in tribute to a life cut tragically short.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges. Meanwhile, Ka’Niyah’s family is asking for privacy as they grieve and prepare for her funeral.
“She had so much life ahead of her,” one family member said. “She didn’t deserve this.”
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