Indy man charged with murdering pregnant girlfriend makes bizarre claims to police

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man is charged with murder for allegedly killing his pregnant girlfriend inside a home on Indy’s near northwest side.

Just before midnight last Tuesday, inside a home on West 34th Street, 26-year-old Ashley Sanders was shot to death. The victim was six weeks pregnant when she died.

“It was just heartbreaking. There was life inside of her,” said Danyette Smith with Indy Champions.

38-year-old Steven Baker Jr. is now charged with murdering his girlfriend.

After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene, but police found him walking in the neighborhood just 18 minutes later.

Officers used a taser to take the suspect into custody, after which the accused killer began making some truly bizarre claims, which raise questions about his mental health.

Notes and flowers have been set up outside the home.

Safety advocates hope the case raises awareness about domestic violence.

“If you know you’re going through domestic violence, please reach out to an advocate for a safety plan,” said Smith.

According to court records, Baker’s 17-year-old son insisted his father was acting strange before the shooting. The son said Baker was naked and appeared to be on drugs.

The suspect allegedly said, “The world is about to end…the government is out to get us.”  He even told the victim, “You got on red, you the devil.”

The affidavit continues that while speaking to police, Baker stated he didn’t know where he lived and didn’t have any kids.

Baker even told detectives he was “a time traveler” and when he was tased, he “lost his powers.”   He also repeatedly said he was in a bathtub getting ready for work when he was tased by police.

“I would request the court to have a competency hearing,” said attorney Mario Massillamany.

While he’s not connected to the case, attorney Mario Massillamany says the first step for court cases involving possible mental illness is determining whether the suspect is competent to stand trial.

If Baker is found competent, the defense could still argue he was insane at the time of the killing.

“The goal is not to have someone with mental illness sit in the Department of Corrections with the general population. If they have a mental illness, they need to be taken care of and their mental illness needs to be addressed,” said Massillamany.

On the night of the murder, Baker’s teenage daughter told police the suspect is bipolar, but doesn’t take his medication, and he had a history of being aggressive and violent.

Baker is now being held without bond pending trial.

Anyone with information about this incident should call Detective Katie Gourley at the IMPD Homicide Office at (317) 327-3475 or e-mail the detective at Katie.Gourley@indy.gov. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS).