Alleged killer step-mom faces new charge

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HICKORY, N.C., March 1 (UPI) -- A North Carolina woman charged with killing her stepdaughter faces an unrelated charge of using her own daughter's identity to get utility service.

A grand jury in Caldwell County handed up an indictment Monday, the Hickory Daily Record reported. Elisa Baker, 42, allegedly posed as Brittany Starbuck, her 21-year-old daughter, using her driver's license and Social Security numbers to get telephone and electricity service last year.

At the time, Baker was living in Hudson with her husband, Adam, an Australian she met on the Internet, and his daughter, Zahra.

They later moved to Hickory in Catawba County where Zahra disappeared.

Baker was indicted last week on a second-degree murder charge. Prosecutors have said she is the only suspect.

Adam Baker reported Zahra, 10, missing Oct. 11. His wife was quickly charged with obstruction of justice.

Dismembered skeletal remains were found in western North Carolina. Zahra's skull is still missing.