Wrongful death lawsuit alleges DCS failed to protect Rebekah Baptiste

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the state, alleging the Arizona Department of Child Safety failed to protect 10-year-old Rebekah Baptiste. She was found unresponsive in Holbrook on July 27, 2025, and died several days later after being taken to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Rebekah’s father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods, have been arrested and charged with murder and child abuse. Her mother, Sandi Hawkins, did not have custody of Rebekah or her siblings when Rebekah died.

The lawsuit says there were 19 reports or attempts to intervene over concerns about Rebekah and her two younger brothers. Many reports came from staff at Empower College Prep, where the children attended school until May 2025. The complaint alleges DCS failed to respond to a pattern of abuse and had problems with its hotline and internal practices.

Attorney Matt Boatman, who represents Hawkins, said the lawsuit seeks accountability and changes at DCS. The agency said it cannot comment on pending litigation, but called Rebekah’s death a tragedy and said protecting children remains its highest priority. DCS has previously said abuse allegations involving the family were unsubstantiated and did not meet the legal standard for removing the children.