In the small community of South Greenfield, Missouri, a story of profound loss unfolded, forever altering the lives of a young family. One-year-old Halle Baker, a little girl whose presence was a bright light to her family, died on July 20, 2022. Initially, the details of her passing were not publicly released, leaving a veil of sadness over those who knew the family.
Nearly a year later, the quiet grief surrounding Halle’s death was pierced by the startling revelation of a criminal
investigation. In June 2023, her parents, Stormy Miles Baker and Chelsey K. Martin, found themselves at the center of a tragedy turned criminal case. Both were charged with second-degree murder and first-degree endangering the welfare of a child resulting in death. The charges stemmed from the heart-wrenching allegation that Halle’s three-year-old brother had gained access to a loaded firearm, tragically resulting in the fatal shooting of his younger sister.
The investigation painted a grim picture of the moments leading up to the incident. It is alleged that the children were left unsupervised in a bedroom where a loaded rifle was accessible. While Chelsey Martin was reportedly watching television and Stormy Baker was outside attending to cattle, the catastrophic event occurred. Following the filing of charges by the Dade County Prosecuting Attorney, both parents were arrested and booked into the Cedar County jail. Their bonds were set at $100,000 each as they awaited their initial court appearances to face the accusations that their actions, or lack thereof, led to the untimely and devastating death of their young daughter.
