Charges in Shannon Dedrick Case

The mother and aunt of 7 month old missing Shannon Dedrick have been arrested and charged with her disappearance. Susan Baker, Shannon Dedrick’s aunt and Crystina Mercer were taken into custody and charged today, Washington County Sheriff’s authority released in a statement today.

Susan Baker, the aunt of Shannon Dedrick faces the following charges: Neglect of a child with aggravated circumstances – 2nd degree felony

Interference with child custody – 3rd degree felony

Filing a false report regarding a missing child – 1st degree misdemeanor

Filing a false report of a crime – 1st degree misdemeanor

Contributing to the delinquency of a child – 1st degree misdemeanor

Crystina Mercer, Shannon Dedrick’s mother faces the following charges: Interference with child custody – 3rd degree felony

Desertion of a child – 3rd degree felony

Filing a false report regarding a missing child – 1st degree misdemeanor

Filing a false report of a crime – 1st degree misdemeanor

Contributing to the delinquency of a child – 1st degree misdemeanor

Susan Baker’s husband, James, had been detained and questioned but authorities released him. Authorities stated that they do not believe that Shannon Dedrick’s father had anything to do with the child’s disappearance.

According to deputies, Crystina Mercer told deputies that Susan Baker wanted to take permanent custody of Shannon and Crystina agreed. She handed her over at 1:30 a.m. on October 31st at Crystina Mercer’s mobile home. Mercer later called authorities and reported her daughter as kidnapped.

Shannon Dedrick was found in a 2’by 3’ foot cedar box hidden underneath Susan Baker’s bed. Authorities estimate that she was in the bed for approximately 12 hours before being rescued.

The two are currently being held at the Washington County jail.

Photo Credit: Washington County Sheriff's Office

Shannon Dedrick Email by Susan Baker and Press Conference

On November 4, 2009, at approximately 9:55 p.m., missing Florida infant, Shannon Dedrick was found. The child had been placed in a cedar chest and was hidden under Susan Baker’s bed. Susan Baker was Shannon Dedrick’s babysitter and had reported the family for child neglect and abuse several times. The first reports came in March and then Susan Baker sent an Email to Florida Governor Charlie Crist. Currently, Susan Baker and Shannon Dedrick’s mother, Crystina Mercer have been arrested and face charges. Susan Baker’s husband, James Baker had been taken into custody but has since been released.

Police have confirmed that Susan Baker is in fact the same Susan Baker who was arrested for abusing her 6 year old step-daughter and a suspect in the disappearance of her 3 year old step-son, Paul Baker.

Here is the Email sent by Susan Baker to Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 2:53 PM
To: Governor Charlie Crist
Subject: Important

Mr Governor Crist,

I want to tell you something, there is four people living together. They
are not working nor are they doing any kind of community serves. But they are drawing food stamps. They take there food stamps and trade them for drugs. Tina Merter was pregnant when she meet James Russell Dedrick, jr dob:Oct 23, 1978, he is 31 yrs old and has never had a job.

So James R Dedrick, jr put his name on Tina Merters baby birth certificate. So now he can get a check, food stamps, medicare. Now there are Micheal, Erica, Tina Merter & James R Dedrick, jr living all together in a house on 537 5th St, Chipley Florida 32428. They are all drowing food stamps and not woking or doing community service. That Is so wrong in alot of wasys.

Tina Meter’s baby is being aboused. I have seen James R Dedrick, jr pick that baby up and shake her, just becouse the baby crys and that gets on his nerves. Micheal & Erica also have shoke that baby too. They smoke ciggerets and drugs with the baby in the same room. THAT CHILD NEEDS HELP & NO ONE IS HELPING HER.

Please Help this child she is mentaly challenged. It is not right that these

People are selling their food stamps for drugs. My husband works 58 hrs a week for us to live and it makes me very angry to see these people sitting on their back sides and draining the system that is put in place for the needy, Not the lazy. Please do something about this unjustice and Please, Please save that child.

Thank You For Your Time,
Susan Baker

Shannon Dedrick found hidden under bed

Photo Credit: Washington County Sheriff's Office

Shannon Dedrick, the 7-month-old Florida girl who disappeared from her Chipley, Florida home was found alive late Wednesday evening. Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department found Shannon hidden in a cedar chest that was stored under her babysitter’s bed. The babysitter, Susan Baker has been taken into custody, along with her husband, James Baker.  Shannon’s mother has also been arrested as it is alleged she gave baby Shannon to Susan Baker.

Susan Baker and her husband are also suspects in the disappearance of Paul Baker (Susan’s stepson and James Baker’s son). Paul disappeared from their South Carolina home on March 5, 1987. Born on June 29, 1983, Paul was several months shy of his fourth birthday at the time of his disappearance. Reports state that Susan Baker had called authorities and said that she was taking a nap and when she awoke, Paul was gone. The Beaufort County Cold Case Files still has a file on Paul Leonard Baker, you may read it here.

The couple was under investigation and faced charges of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature for beating Paul before his disappearance. The couple was extradited back to South Carolina in 2000 to face charges, however, a grand jury failed to indict the couple. When investigators interviewed James 6 year old daughter, (Susan’s step-daughter) they discovered that she had been beaten and suffered broken bones (both hands were reportedly broken) and had sores on her body. Susan Baker was convicted for beating her step daughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Her sentence was reduced and she served a mere 80 days.

Continue to part 2