Woman charged after deceased infant found floating down Mississippi River nearly 14 years ago

WINONA, Minn. (TCN) -- A 43-year-old woman was recently charged in connection with the death of a newborn baby found floating in a river nearly 14 years ago.

According to the Winona County Sheriff’s Office, the infant was found in the Mississippi River on Sept. 5, 2011. Boaters initially discovered the victim inside a bag, along with a pendant, incense, and angel figurines, KSTP-TV reports. The newborn became known as "Baby Angel."

An autopsy reportedly revealed that Baby Angel sustained skull fractures while alive, which caused fatal brain hemorrhages. According to KSTP, the complaint said, "This is not the type of injury that would have occurred with the assistance of a medical professional during delivery."

The sheriff’s office worked with Firebird Forensics Group to help identify relatives, and in March 2023, investigators reportedly found a possible lead in Jennifer Baechle. The sheriff’s office asked Baechle for a DNA sample, but she allegedly said twice that she wanted more time to think about it.

KSTP reports that officials obtained Baechle’s DNA from a feminine hygiene product in her trash can. The sample revealed she was possibly Baby Angel’s mother. In March 2024, authorities reportedly obtained a search warrant to get a DNA sample from Baechle directly and confirmed that there was a strong likelihood she was the victim’s mother.

According to KSTP, deputies interviewed Baechle’s family members, who said the pendant found inside the bag with the baby belonged to Baechle. She also allegedly collected angel figurines, and her family members gifted her an angel ornament every Christmas. Baechle’s relatives reportedly didn’t have any contact with Baechle in 2011, but she lived in a van at the time.

Baechle faces two counts of second-degree manslaughter. If convicted, she faces a presumptive guideline sentence of four years and up to 10 years for each charge.

Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude said, "For more than 13 years, Baby Angel’s tragic death has weighed heavily on the hearts of this community. We are grateful to be able to provide answers for this community and for Baby Angel."

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