GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – Kenzie Rose Baker, 27, of St. Michael, North Dakota, has pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact, child abuse, and child neglect in connection with the death of a 1-year-old on the Spirit Lake Reservation. Her sentencing is scheduled for January 22, 2025.
In February 2023, emergency responders were called to Baker’s residence after she reported a child was not breathing. The child was pronounced dead at CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake.
An autopsy revealed that the child had suffered multiple injuries over time, leading to infection and sepsis. Despite noticing the child’s worsening condition for two weeks, Baker failed to seek medical care.
U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider condemned the “senseless, wasteful, and utterly cruel” abuse and emphasized the importance of holding child abusers accountable to prevent future tragedies.
Baker’s co-defendant, Collin Ray Derlome, faces charges of felony murder, child abuse, and child neglect, with his trial set for November 19. Both are in federal custody.