I find it a challenge to be shocked by the atrocities committed by the human race. I have covered everything from serial murder to baby rape. The topic never changes – death, death, death – all day, every day. Each crime is disturbing in its own right, but over time, I have developed a certain mentality to be able to continue writing about it. Am I desensitized? Perhaps, to a certain degree; however, every now and then, a case strikes a chord within me that reminds me of the despair I used to feel when I first became a professional crime writer. Such is the case I am about to relate to you.
Whenever I research a case, I try to mentally and physically insert myself into it to acquire as many details as possible. With today's case, I went to York, Pa., to visit the West Philadelphia Street home of 26-year-old Harve Johnson and 19-year-old Neida Baez. Neida's daughter, Darisabel Baez, a wide-eyed and curly haired toddler, also lives inside the home. Johnson is not Darisabel's biological father; however, he has assumed the role inside the household, more by necessity than choice. Darisabel's father lives in New York, and the level of his involvement in her life remains unclear.
Darisabel is not a particularly difficult child by any standard. She enjoys life and likes to play with the family's black Labrador, often sitting on the dog and trying to ride it as if it were a horse. When not playing the role of a cowgirl, Darisabel loves to run and play, and she often seeks the attention of those around her.
The day is Sunday, April 6, 2008. It remains unclear what Darisabel has done, but there is no mistaking the anger being directed at her. The type of anger that is all-consuming and separates us from beasts.
A thud is heard. Not the sound of a foot stomping the ground or a book hitting the floor, but more like the sound of plastic hitting flesh and bone. With each thud comes a high-pitched shriek, and tears begin to flow down Darisabel's rosy cheeks. The fear running through her little brain overwhelms her senses. Her attempts to shield her head with her small hands are futile, and her cries are in vain. With each blow, she slips further away. Blood mixes with her tears, and before long, she drifts into unconsciousness, to a place where the pain cannot reach her, a place where she is safe from those who wish to do her harm.
Darisabel is now lying on the floor. There are bruises and lacerations on her head, back and body. She is limp and motionless. Lying next to her is the instrument of her pain, a videogame controller, an item meant for fun that was perverted into a tool for punishment and pain.
Johnson scoops up Darisabel and carries her little body into the bathroom. He places her in the tub and runs cold water over her, but she does not react. He is desperate to wake her, but she does not give him the satisfaction. It went too far. She had taken too much. Uncertain what to do next, Johnson picks up Darisabel and carries her into the next room, where he drops her limp body into her mother's lap.
Police and ambulance personnel respond after receiving Neida's 911 call. Neighbors watch as the little girl is carted out of the home, the devastation to her body obvious to all who look. Time is of the essence, and Darisabel is rushed to Hershey Medical Center, where she is admitted into the critical care unit.
During police questioning, Johnson allegedly admits to beating Darisabel with the game controller, but offers no motive for the crime. Neida allegedly admits to hearing her daughter's cries for help, but like Johnson, offers no reason for the brutal attack and fails to explain why she did not intervene. As a result of the investigation, Johnson is arrested and charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. For her part, or lack thereof, Neida is also arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
The next day, Darisabel lies in her hospital bed. Despite her injuries, she remains an image of innocence and beauty. Unfortunately, her little body has taken all it could, and she slips away from this life to the next. There would be no more doggie rides, no more dollies, but there would also be no more pain.
During an interview with WGAL-TV, Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick describes Darisabel's injuries as the worst case of child abuse he has ever seen. As a result of Darisabel's death, Johnson's charges were upgraded to include homicide. He and Baez remain in custody, his bail set at $200,000 and hers at $25,000.
Why? Why was the little girl murdered in such a cold-blooded and brutal manner? What could she have done to negate such pain and suffering that ultimately took her life? These questions remain unanswered, but no matter the motive, there is nothing that can be said to make this case any less brutal. Unfortunately, the punishment these perpetrators face will never fit the crime.
Such are the things that keep me up at night …