Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Annah. Annah’s mother, Becky, decided that her good friend Camile would be a better mom for Annah, so she gave her up. Camile and her husband, Daniel, adopted Annah. Annah grew up in Wisconsin, knowing her biological mother as well as her adoptive parents. Annah was on the high-end of the autism scale and had ADHD and bouts of depression as she grew up. 

All was well until Camile and Daniel began having marital problems and split up. They divorced and Camile began a relationship with another man. Annah started having issues with her parent’s divorce and her mom’s new boyfriend. She began to act out. 

Annah had episodes of self-harm and Camile was worried. She had Annah admitted to a hospital to get treatment. She was put on medication and had regular appointments with a therapist. 

Eventually, 15-year-old Annah began having issues again and Camile, being extremely worried, got in touch with Annah’s biological mother, Becky. Becky was aware of the issues Annah was having along the way. Camile and Becky decided that perhaps they could help ‘reset’ Annah’s behavior and Becky agreed to take Annah home to her farm in Illinois. 

Annah was happy being on the farm with her biological mother. She loved taking care of the animals. She became a volunteer firefighter, like Becky. She enjoyed the people around her. Everyone loved Annah and they said she appeared happy.

A year later, everything changed. Stop here if you are easily upset.

Becky called the sheriff and reported 16-year-old Annah missing. The sheriff and his deputies searched and searched the 81-acre property but no Annah. After several days they called in cadaver dogs. The dogs searched and searched and didn’t hit on anything suspicious until they got to a burn pile. The pile was built up about 6 feet tall but the dog hit on the pile. The cadaver dog handler brought in another dog, and that dog also hit on the same area. 

After disassembling the burn pile, several bones, teeth, and a jawbone were found at the very bottom. It was later verified to be the remains of Annah. 

It was later learned that Becky had drugged Annah and when she thought she was dead, she put Annah in the burn pile and sat all night until her body was virtually gone. BUT at one point, Annah woke up! Becky panicked and knocked Annah out with a rake until she couldn’t scream anymore. 

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This is definitely a horror story but do you know that this really happened? I changed the names and left out many details, but this actually happened 5 years ago in my county! 

The mother’s trial was last week and we are awaiting the outcome of the MO vs. Ruud bench trial. The judge will be making his decision later this month.

You can read more about this case below:

https://www.yourtango.com/2017306114/new-details-mom-rebecca-rudd-tortured-murdered-autistic-daughter-savannah-leckie

https://www.ozarkradionews.com/local-news/adoptive-mother-of-girl-killed-in-missouri-asks-what-if

http://www.ozarkcountytimes.com/news-local-news/ruud-murder-trial-unfolds-springfield-recording-played-during-trial-where-ruud

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 1:

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 2:

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 3:

MO vs. Rebecca Ruud Bench Trial DAY 3 Closing Arguments:

I know, it’s hours of testimony and you don’t have time for that. I get it. But just in case you’re interested, I thought I’d add the trial links. It wasn’t the most professional trial, in my opinion. The audio and video also not so professional but I sat through the entire thing.

This case has bothered me since it happened. It just rips my heart out. I cannot even fathom how any mother or human being for that matter, could do what this woman has done! I know, innocent until proven guilty but she admitted that she burned the body, and after watching the trial and hearing all of the evidence, I believe she did more than that.