Adam Baker hopes to return home after facing charges

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C.,None — Adam Baker appeared before two judges in two counties on Thursday on charges unrelated to his daughter's death.

The first hurdle for Baker were charges in Catawba County, where he was accused of getting electricity using someone else's personal information. His attorney argued that his wife, Elisa Baker, manipulated Adam into doing it after they moved to Hickory.

Elisa Baker pleaded guilty last year to second-degree murder in 10-year-old Zahra Baker's death.

"Here's a man who has lost his only child, his only daughter -- the most precious thing to him," attorney Mark Killian said. "This whole thing from the get-go, being deceived by Elisa Baker."

On Thursday, Adam Baker pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and repaid a $349 power bill.

Hours later, he arrived at the courthouse in Lenoir, where he had to show deputies the ankle monitor he was ordered to wear after immigration determined he was here illegally.

Baker faces nine different misdemeanor charges, including communicating threats and assault. Those charges don't involve his daughter but his attorney said they could keep him from leaving the country.

"He wanted to get back to Australia (and) take his daughter with him," Killian said. "These cases were holding him up."

Adam said when he does go home, he plans on taking Zahra's remains with him to be reunited with his family.

WSOC