Published: May 02, 2008 08:37 am      

Child killer helper released

Susanne Baker convicted in 1994 of kidnapping 10-year-old, burning corpse released from prison

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

Susanne Baker, a London woman convicted for her assistance in the 1992 murder of a 10-year-old boy, was released from prison Thursday after serving a portion of her original 25-year sentence.

The day before Thanksgiving in 1992, Baker entered Paces Creek Elementary School in Clay County with the intent of checking Scotty Baker out of school for the day. Although the two were unrelated, police say Baker disguised herself, claiming to be a relative.

This was done at the instruction of Scotty Baker’s stepmother and Susanne Baker’s friend, Stephanie Spitser Baker, who Susanne Baker brought the child to. After Scotty Baker was taken from the school, he was placed into Susanne Baker’s car where Stephanie Spitser Baker was waiting.

Susanne Baker drove the vehicle while Stephanie Spitser Baker strangled the boy. Authorities believe Scotty Baker may have been murdered due to Stephanie Spitser Baker’s jealousy of his relationship with his father Donnie Baker.

The two women later dumped his body near a mine pit in Laurel County and left. They later returned after purchasing gasoline in town and burned the body in an attempt to cover-up the murder.

Authorities discovered the body of Scotty Baker on Dec. 1, 1992. Susanne Baker was indicted on Dec. 18, 1992 for her involvement in the crime and was tried in Knox County Circuit Court after a change of venue request on her behalf was sustained.

In 1994, Susanne Baker was convicted for her involvement in the crime. She was sentenced to 20 years for kidnapping and five years for reckless homicide, with these terms to be served consecutively. She was also sentenced to 12 months for abuse to a corpse, which was ordered to be served concurrently with her other sentences.

However, because of a combination of time served and what are referred to as “good-time credits” she built up while in prison, Baker was released on Thursday.

“There’s different things that go toward these good-time credits,” said Kenny Talbott, chaplain of the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women in Pee Wee Valley, where Susanne Baker was incarcerated.

Talbott said educational courses, such as prisoners completing college coursework or work to receive a GED, count toward these credits. Prisoners also receive good-time credits for clear conduct, or good behavior.

“There’s things like that that help reduce the sentence to some degree,” he said.

According to Tom Handy, who was the prosecuting attorney against Susanne Baker, she has served her time according to the law.

“I think it’s important for everybody to understand she received no special treatment or leniency from the justice system,” he said. “The law says she must be given credit for good-time. The law required her release at this time.”

Stephanie Spitser Baker continues to serve a term of life in prison for her murder conviction.

After the incident, schools statewide tightened regulations on who could take children out of schools. Now, a list of people permitted to take a child from school must be submitted. Also, those needing to take a child out of school for any reason must present a picture identification.

Brad Hicks can be reached at bhicks@thetimestribune.com