25 year old Crystina Lynn Mercer's bond was        Susan Baker's bond was set at $150,000.

set at $75,000.

 

Charges facing Crystina Mercer include:

 

      *  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

 

Charges facing Susan Baker include:

 

       *  Neglect of a Child with Aggravated Circumstances - 2nd degree felony

       *  Interference of 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 felony

       *  Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child - 1st degree misdemeanor

 

 

The missing 7 month old missing since Oct. 31 was found Nov. 4 at the home of the babysitter/step-aunt on Orange Hill Road southeast of Chipley.

 

 

 

 

Deputy Kenny Brock (shown at right) located the baby in a 3 foot by 2 foot cedar box (shown above) under a bed in the babysitter's home.

 

 

According to Haddock,  the infant was discovered missing from the family residence about 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31st.  He said a short time later the Washington County Sheriff's Office received a call concerning the missing infant. 

 

Earlier in the week Haddock said once his office became involved Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Bay County Sheriff's Department were called in for assistance.

 

K-9 units initially searched a 500-600 yard area around the residence; however, Haddock said that perimeter widened as no trace of the baby was found.

 

Haddock said Thursday morning that Susan Baker had been a person of interest since the investigation got under way, but law enforcement officials were working with the State Attorney's Office to develop their case.   He said a background check on all of the individuals involved in the case led them to discover that the step aunt was a suspect in the disappearance of her own stepson some 22 years ago.

 

The Sheriff said the Baker home was under surveillance while authorities were waiting for orders to search the home.  Eventually Susan Baker allowed law enforcement to enter the home and the baby was found.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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