“Brutal, heinous, vicious, gruesome, monstrous and disturbing.”

These are the words used by Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook to describe the shocking murder of 13-year-old Ka’Niyah Baker, whose remains were discovered on January 15 in an abandoned house in South Carolina. Authorities have apprehended and charged two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, with her murder.

Baker’s body was located 20 miles away from where she was last seen before going missing from foster care. Chief Holbrook indicated during a press conference on January 18 that Baker had sustained severe injuries and was so badly burned that visual identification was impossible. The Richland County Coroner, Naida Rutherford, stated that the team used her clothing and dental records to establish her identity through DNA analysis.

This tragedy raises serious concerns about the increase in homicides among teenagers and the social conditions that influence youth violence. Both of the girls accused had a history of running away and had left high school. The 16-year-old had previous charges related to disorderly conduct and was being sought by the Department of Juvenile Justice for removing her ankle monitor. In addition to murder charges, both girls are also facing charges of arson, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and desecration of human remains.

“All the girls involved had connections to systems that were meant to protect them, and I think the system failed all three of them,” Rutherford expressed to YSL News, noting that cutbacks in mental health resources have played a part in this issue.

Statistics reveal that the number of young individuals aged 12 to 17 killed by homicides almost doubled from 2019 to 2022, increasing from 717 deaths in 2018 to 1,409 in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Youth Violence Linked to Children’s Environments and Social Factors

Professor Hayden Smith from the University of South Carolina’s Criminology and Criminal Justice department said that this incident showcases the underlying trauma affecting all three girls involved. He noted that the rise in youth violence is linked to children’s surroundings and social determinants of health, including access to stable housing and education.

“Even aside from a shocking event like this, individuals who experience adverse childhood events often carry the effects throughout their lives unless they receive support through resilience, specific skills, stability, and positive experiences,” Smith explained.

Experiencing adverse childhood events (ACEs) before turning 18 can lead to lasting physical and emotional consequences. A CDC survey in 2023 found that three-quarters of high school students reported having encountered one or more ACEs.

ACEs encompass experiences such as violence, abuse, or neglect; witnessing violence at home or in the community; or having a family member who attempted or committed suicide. Environmental elements, such as exposure to substance abuse, mental health issues, instability due to a family member’s incarceration, or growing up in a split household, can significantly affect a child’s brain development and decision-making capabilities.

Professionals believe that increasing funding for welfare and foster care systems, along with focusing on at-risk youth and employing trained specialists, could alleviate youth violence. Smith added that cognitive behavioral therapies are a promising method to address ACEs, but these should be paired with environmental improvements and the positive, stable influence of mentors and peers.

Following this tragic event, local government and law enforcement officials have addressed the homicide in relation to the need for better support systems for youth mental health.

Columbia’s City Manager, Teresa Wilson, stated that the loss of Baker deeply impacted her and urged community members and parents to rally around the city’s youth and young mothers.

“I am reminded by this senseless act and other recent incidents in our city of the critical need to be involved in our children’s lives, fostering a safe, nurturing environment for them to flourish,” Wilson shared on Instagram. “Our city is strongest when we come together, invest in our communities, and collaborate to lessen youth violence.”

Hale’s role covering youth mental health at News is funded by a grant from Pivotal Ventures. Pivotal Ventures does not provide editorial input. Reach her @rachelleighhale on X.