Devotion Baker accused of four rape cold cases from the 1980s

Devotion Baker is coming up for parole on his 36-year sentence for burglary. But he may have a hard time getting out of prison after rape charges were filed against him this week.

Jackson County prosecutors charged the 51-year-old with four rape cold cases from 1987 and one from 1994 — and this only underscores the need for the Kansas City Police Department’s cold-case sex-crimes unit, which is  facing an unknown future after losing a $500,000 grant.