The Unsolved Disappearance of Paul Baker: A True Crime Investigation

The Disappearance of Paul Baker

• 👶 Three-year-old Paul Baker vanished from his South Carolina home in March 1987 and has never been found.
• 💔 His disappearance remains unsolved over 30 years later, with foul play strongly suspected.

Initial Suspicions and Investigation

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Paul's parents, James Baker and Linda Solarzano, separated due to James's affair with the children's babysitter, Susan.
• ⚖️ James gained full custody, married Susan, and moved with the children to Shellpoint, South Carolina.
• 🏠 On March 5th, 1987, Susan claimed she put Paul down for a nap, but he was gone when she awoke.
• 📞 A mysterious long-distance call was received by James, claiming Paul was okay, but details remain unconfirmed.
• 🚨 Susan's polygraph results were inconclusive, while James failed his polygraph, raising further suspicion.

Allegations of Abuse and Legal Proceedings

• 💔 Nina, Paul's older sister, reported that Susan became physically abusive after the move.
• 🩺 Doctors found evidence of severe physical abuse on Nina, including an untreated broken hand and ulcerated sores.
• 🗣️ Nina recounted being confined, disciplined harshly, and witnessing Susan whip Paul for wetting the bed.
• ⚖️ Susan was charged with assault and battery with intent to kill against Nina, but received a suspended 10-year sentence after serving only 80 days.

Renewed Investigation and Later Incidents

• 🔎 In 1999, a cold case squad re-examined Paul's disappearance, leading to the arrest of Susan and James Baker in 2000 on assault and child neglect charges.
• 🚫 However, grand juries refused to indict them for assault, and child neglect charges were not pursued.
• 👶 In 2009, Susan Baker was involved in a case where she hid a 7-month-old baby, Shannon Dietrich, in a cedar box under her bed.
• ⚖️ Susan was convicted of aggravated child abuse and other charges in the Shannon Dietrich case, receiving a 35-year sentence.

Lingering Questions and Suspicions

• ❓ Despite the later conviction, Susan remains a person of interest in Paul Baker's disappearance.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 James Baker's inconsistent statements and failure to protect his children have also drawn scrutiny.
• 😔 Paul's family, particularly his sister Nina and maternal grandmother Linda, continue to seek closure and answers.
• 🕵️ The lack of conclusive evidence has prevented charges directly related to Paul's disappearance, leaving his fate unknown.