27 Years Later, Family Still Searches for Missing Ohio Girl Erica Baker
Twenty-seven years after 9-year-old Erica Baker disappeared in Kettering, Ohio, her family continues to search for answers and hopes she can one day be brought home. On February 7, 1999, Erica left home with her dog and never came back.
Erica had been spending the day with her father, Greg Baker, who was going to take her to a father-daughter dance. Greg returned her to her mother’s house and was called back that his daughter was missing.
Her lost dog was later discovered near the Kettering Recreation Center and a massive search was conducted with police officers, volunteers, horses, canines and divers.
Investigators at first thought Erica might have fallen into a nearby pond, but no sign was found of her. Later, authorities turned to Christian Gabriel after another inmate gave them information about Erica’s disappearance.
In 2004, Gabriel signed a statement that he had hit Erica with his van by accident and then taken her to a wooded area where he buried her. He was later found guilty of gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence, but Erica’s body was never recovered.
The case is open and active. Investigators are still searching and have family DNA samples on file in case remains are found, Kettering Police Detective Amy Pedro, who assumed the investigation in 2023, said.
Erica’s case highlights the long-term consequences of a child’s disappearance on families and communities from a child protection perspective. Her father still hopes she will be found and laid to rest.
Erica would be 37 years old today.
