Convicted Columbia child killer sentenced to 30 years
An Ashland man convicted of second degree murder for the 2014 death of a Columbia infant was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison.
Boone County Circuit Judge Jodie Asel sentenced Baker, 33. Baker must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence before he’ll be eligible for parole.
A jury convicted Baker of second degree murder in September. Asel heard more than five hours of emotional testimony during a Nov. 13 court appearance, where she rejected Baker’s motion for a new trial.
Court documents filed by Boone County Prosecutor Dan Knight said Baker “caused the death of Finley Steele by causing her head to be impacted by a blunt object.” Columbia police said the 8-month-old girl was not breathing in February 2014 when police and EMS were called to the home, which is in the 500 block of Woodridge.
The infant was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Columbia police confirmed on March 1, 2014, that the investigation revealed that the death was due to physical trauma and not natural causes.
A co-defendant is also charged in this case. Anna Steele was Baker’s girlfriend at the time of the murder. Steele was originally charged with second degree murder. Steele pleaded guilty on Nov. 23 to child abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. Steele is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 4.
ABC 17’s Lucas Geisler covered Baker’s sentencing and will have a live report on ABC 17 News at 5.
