1-year-old Died from Brutal Child Abuse in North Dakota; Woman Pleads Guilty in Court: Docs

A woman from St. Michael, North Dakota, admitted guilt on Aug. 16 for her involvement in the tragic death of a 1-year-old on the Spirit Lake Reservation. She pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact, child abuse, and child neglect.

Kenzie Rose Baker, 27, has a sentencing date set for Jan. 22, 2025.

In February 2023, emergency responders were dispatched to a St. Michael residence after Baker reported that a young child wasn’t breathing, according to a press release issued by the District of North Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office on Thursday, Aug. 22.

A tragic incident occurred at CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake, where the child was pronounced dead.

An autopsy revealed that the child’s cause of death was determined to be a result of multiple, repeated injuries sustained at different points in time, which were tragically classified as “battered child.” The injuries were apparent both on the inside and outside.

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According to the release, the lack of treatment for the internal injuries led to infection and sepsis. Baker acknowledged that she noticed the child’s swelling for a period of two weeks before their passing, yet did not pursue medical attention.

“The abuse and death of this young child was senseless, wasteful, and utterly cruel,” said U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider. “There is no undoing the disregard for life shown in this case, but by holding child abusers accountable in federal court we hope that future tragedies can be prevented. Our partners in federal law enforcement and career prosecutors will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect kids.”

Following the tragic incident, Collin Ray Derlome, her co-defendant, has been accused of felony murder, child abuse, and child neglect. The trial is set to take place on November 19th.

Both he and Baker are currently in federal custody.

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