COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) – A missing teen girl has been identified as the body that was found during a fire at an unoccupied home Wednesday.
According to Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford, the body was confirmed to be that of 13-year-old Ka’Niyah Baker.
“Any death is heartbreaking but it’s even more challenging to understand when it is a child,” Rutherford said.
The Columbia Police Department said they were investigating a “suspicious” after firefighters found the body while battling the house fire in the 100 block of Cardamon Court.
Earlier this week, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department reached out to the community to help search for her. The department said she was last seen in the Hopkins area on Monday and believed she was in danger.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. Our team will continue to collaborate with law enforcement as we continue to investigate this homicide,” Rutherford said.
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