wmbb.com - Sheriff: Baby Found Alive Under Babysitter’s Bed
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Sheriff: Baby Found Alive Under Babysitter’s Bed
11/05/09 - 01:13 AM
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Erin Hawley - bio
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Washington County, Fla:

Washington County Sheriff Bobby Haddock held Shannon Dedrick in his arms and was crying as he delivered the news that she was found alive.

The Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement called for a news conference around 11:00 p.m Wednesday for 1:00 a.m. Thursday.

Shannon was reported missing at 11:30 a.m. Halloween morning by her mother.  Authorities believe she went missing some time between 3:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Saturday from the bedroom of her parents on Brown Street in Chipley. 

Wednesday investigators began looking into possible connections between Shannon’s disappearance and the disappearance of her reported baby sitter’s step-son.  Susan Baker’s son, Paul, was reported missing in 1987 in Beaufort County, South Carolina, his body was never found.  Authorities in South Carolina extradited Susan and her husband Paul from Washington County in 2000 on charges relating to the disappearance but the grand jury did not indict them.

Haddock says Shannon was found in a box under Susan and James’ bed around 9:55 p.m. Wednesday.  Shannon was rushed to Northwest Florida Hospital but she was in good condition.  They believe she was placed in the box around 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Susan and James Baker are in custody.  Shannon’s mother, Crystina Lynn Mercer is also in police custody.  The investigation is on-going.  They are not releasing the charges at this time.

Family members of Shannon were also at the news conference.

Family members tell News 13 that Susan Baker is related to the Shannon’s father, Rusty Dedrick.  They also say Dedrick and Mercer are not married and are no longer together.

The maternal grandmother of Shannon came to the news conference all the way from Texas.  She tells News 13 she had suspicions that her daughter might be involved in the case some how.

Both sides of the family were preparing for the worst.  But when they learned she was alive it was a range of emotions from cheers to tears.  Sheriff Haddock brought the baby over to Shannon’s grandmother and aunt so they could hug and kiss her. 

The baby was taken back to the hospital after the news conference.  It’s not clear at this time who will get custody of baby Shannon but both sides of the family tell News 13 that would be willing to care for her.

News 13 will have all the details as soon as they released.

User Comments

Thank God this child is okay.  She is probably scared to death over what she has been through and being so young and stuffed under a bed must have really been traumatic for her.  It’s wonderful that she is going to be okay.  The ones involved in this should be thrown in jail and never allowed to see daylight again.  What a bunch of losers!

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  11/05  at  07:14 AM
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