Local

Equusearch Midwest conducts search in connection to Erica Baker case

KETTERING — A search was conducted for Erica Baker Saturday, more than 20 years after she disappeared while walking her dog near the Kettering Rec Center.

Baker went missing on Feb. 7, 1999 and she was 9-years-old at the time of her disappearance.

>> Erica Baker disappeared 22 years ago; Police continue to seek answers about her case

Equusearch Midwestern spent hours looking for any sign of Baker’s remains in the Huffman Dam area in Greene County, a location that they have previously searched.

Unfortunately, Dave Rader, who works for the group, said that they were unsuccessful in finding Baker today.

Despite not being able to find Baker, they were able to clear the area and know that she is not there.

Rader added that after 22 years of looking for her it’s like finding a needle in a haystack, but they will continue searching until they bring her home.

Christian Gabriel served 6 years in prison after he confessed to driving a van that struck Erica near the intersection of Glengarry Drive and Powhattan in Kettering.

Both he and his passenger, Jan Franks, had criminal backgrounds so instead of calling for help, Gabriel said he put Baker inside the van and took off.

Gabriel still refuses to say what he did with Baker afterwards, leaving unanswered questions about what happened that could provide her family with closure.

Franks died of an overdose in 2001.

Even after all of these years, police still remember Erica and her family, and continue to ask that anyone with information regarding her disappearance contact the detective.

It’s been 22 years since Erica disappeared. We still remember her and her family. If anyone has information on what happened to Erica please call Det. Mason at 937-296-2583

Posted by Kettering Police Department on Sunday, February 7, 2021



0
Comments on this article