Second Woman Charged with Murder of 3-Year-Old

Staff Report

A LaCrosse woman is suspected of being the second individual to be charged with first degree murder in the death of a three-year-old that took place in February.

A Mecklenburg County grand jury indicted Savannah Baker of LaCrosse on murder and child cruelty charges last Thursday and while there was no direct confirmation that this was part of the investigation into the death of  A.J. Roane, reports indicate that the the offense date is listed as the same day that the three-year-old Roane was injured.

Roane, died Wednesday, February 3 at VCU Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill after a Mecklenburg Deputy was dispatched to meet a female traveling on Route 1 toward VCU Community Memorial Hospital with a child who was having difficulty breathing.

An investigation and examination by the Medical Examiner’s office in Richmond helped determine that the child’s death was a homicide and the result of blunt force trauma.

Following that, Jessica Baker of Boydton was arrested and charged with murder in the first degree, murder in the second degree, child abuse and child neglect. At that time, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office noted that this investigation was continuing.

Savannah Baker is the daughter of Jessica Baker. She is currently at Pamunkey Regional Jail, where she is also being held without bond and is set to appear in  Mecklenburg County Circuit Court on September 19. Jessica Baker remains in Meherrin River Regional Jail where she is being held without bond and awaiting a September 13 court date.