After missing for nearly five days, seven month old Shannon Dedrick was found alive and well - inside a wooden box - when authorities searched a Chipley home, which was the young girl's baby sitter.

Investigators say the mother secretly turned the baby over to the sitter who also happens to be the half-sister to the child’s father.

Its very rare to see a search like this end this way.

Seven month old Shannon was found last night under a bed, laying in a covered 2x3 cedar chest.

Investigators found the child at Baker's home on Orange Hill Road in Chipley after Baker gave investigators consent to search the residence.

Authorities say that on October 30 Baker and Mercer agreed to allow Baker to take permanent custody of the baby.

The two arranged to meet at 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 31 at Mercer’s residence for Mercer to give the child to Baker. Mercer later reported the child missing at 11:23 a.m.

When authorities found baby Shannon, they rushed her to the Northwest Florida Community Hospital. She is in good condition.

She is currently in the care of Florida Department of Children and Families.

As far as custody of the child goes. No information was given about whether her father will step in the picture or not.

Washington County Sheriff Bobby Haddock said Susan Baker, 50, and Crystina Lynn Mercer, 25, both of Chipley, were arrested in the disappearance of seven-month-old Shannon Dedrick.

Baker, the child’s babysitter and half-sister to the child’s father, was charged with:
• Neglect of a child with aggravated circumstances – 2nd degree felony
• Interference with child custody – 3rd degree felony
• Filing a false report regarding a missing child – 1st degree misdemeanor
• Filing a false report of a crime – 1st degree misdemeanor
• Contributing to the delinquency of a child – 1st degree misdemeanor

Mercer, the child’s mother, was charged with:
• Interference with child custody – 3rd degree felony
• Desertion of a child – 3rd degree felony
• Filing a false report regarding a missing child – 1st degree misdemeanor
• Filing a false report of a crime – 1st degree misdemeanor
• Contributing to the delinquency of a child – 1st degree misdemeanor

Baker and Mercer made their first appearence in court this afternoon.

The babysitter's bond was set at $150,000 with the mother's bond at $75,000.

They will appear back in court on December the 14th.

Susan Baker’s husband, James Baker, was detained last night but has since been released.

Sheriff Haddock thanks the following agencies for their assistance on the investigation: rescue personnel from Liberty, Gulf and Bay County Sheriff’s Offices; K-9 teams from Klass Kids, Florida State Hospital, Gulf Correctional, and Southwest TANSAR; law enforcement personnel from Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, FBI, Team ADAM, an extension of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Office of the State Attorney, 14th Judicial Circuit, Bay, Calhoun, Jackson, Gulf, and Holmes County Sheriff’s Offices, Chipley and Graceville Police Departments, Florida Department of Corrections, Bay County Mounted Posse and the Salvation Army.

Sheriff Haddock thanks the following agencies for their assistance on the investigation: rescue personnel from Liberty, Gulf and Bay County Sheriff’s Offices; K-9 teams from Klass Kids, Florida State Hospital, Gulf Correctional, and Southwest TANSAR; law enforcement personnel from Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, FBI, Team ADAM, an extension of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Office of the State Attorney, 14th Judicial Circuit, Bay, Calhoun, Jackson, Gulf, and Holmes County Sheriff’s Offices, Chipley and Graceville Police Departments, Florida Department of Corrections, Bay County Mounted Posse and the Salvation Army.

For Further Information Contact:
Heather Smith, Kristen Chernosky or Mike Morrison
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001