A Minnesota woman has been arrested in the infamous killing of 'baby angel,' 14 years after the baby girl's body was found floating down the Mississippi river.
Jennifer Nichole Baechle, 43, was charged with second-degree manslaughter on Thursday morning after DNA evidence found her to have been the newborn's mother.
'For more than 13 years, Baby Angel's tragic death has weighed heavily on the hearts of this community,' Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude said in a press release.
'We are grateful to be able to provide answers for this community and for Baby Angel.'
The newborn baby girl's body was found inside a bag on the river on September 5, 2011, along with incense, a pendant, and multiple angel figurines.
'I could never get what she looked like out of my head,' former Sheriff David Brand said at a press conference. 'She looked like she was just sleeping when they brought her off the river. It's just the way that had to happen.'
'That baby could have been adopted or turned over.'
An autopsy revealed she had been born only a day or two before her death, with her umbilical cord - 4-inches of which was still attached to her body - determined to have not been cut by a medical professional.
Jennifer Nichole Baechle, 43, was charged with second-degree manslaughter on Thursday morning after DNA evidence found her to have been the newborn's mother
The newborn baby girl's body was found inside a bag on the river on September 5, 2011, along with incense, a pendant, and multiple angel figurines
'While her birth mother remained hidden, this community wrapped its arms around this little girl,' Sheriff Ron Ganrude said. 'More than 150 peopled gathered to mourn this baby girl and ever since they have waited in patience for answers'
'The medical examiner noted several fractures on the front and side of the infant's skull,' the criminal complaint obtained by NBC News said.
'There was bleeding on the brain. There was no evidence of medical intervention on the infant.'
Evidence said that the infant had sustained the head injuries while still alive.
Baechle was determined as a possible lead in March 2023 by Firebird Forensics Group, and Ganrude said that Baechle was asked to voluntarily give a DNA sample but refused.
According to the complaint, investigators searched her trash and found a 'discarded female hygiene product' which was sent for a DNA test and determined that the infant was Baechle's child.
'The genetic results obtained from the unidentified female infant are 570,000 times more likely to occur in a biological child of [the] defendant than in someone unrelated to [the] defendant,' prosecutors said according to the Winona Post.
They added that the findings were 'very strong evidence' that the infant was Baechle's daughter.
The incense found in the bag with the child additionally matched the DNA sample taken from Baechle's trash.
According to the complaint, investigators searched her trash and found a 'discarded female hygiene product' which was sent for a DNA test and determined that the infant was Baechle's child
'The medical examiner noted several fractures on the front and side of the infant's skull,' the criminal complaint said.'There was bleeding on the brain. There was no evidence of medical intervention on the infant'
'[Baby Angel] deserved more than a watery grave. She deserved more than a life cut short,' Sheriff Ron Ganrude said
Family members told police they immediately recognized the pendant left in the bag with the infant, which they were certain belonged to Baechle, and have not kept in contact with her since 2011.
They added to investigators that Baechle also collected angels, prosecutors said.
Baechle is charged with causing the death of another by committing or attempt to commit neglect or endangerment of a child.
Prosecutors wrote that she caused the death of another person due to 'her culpable negligence, whereby she created an unreasonable risk and consciously took a chance of causing death or great bodily harm.'
Ganrude said Baechle turned herself in on Thursday morning, accompanied by her attorney, after a judge signed an arrest warrant for her.
'[Baby Angel] deserved more than a watery grave. She deserved more than a life cut short,' he added.
'Advances in investigative technique and in science are happening all of the time. That is why it is so important to never give up on any unsolved case,' said Cathy Knutson, Deputy Superintendent of Forensic Science Services at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Baechle appeared in court on Thursday after her arraignment and was given a $200,000 unconditional bond and a $20,000 conditional bond.
Family members told police they immediately recognized the pendant left in the bag with the infant, which they were certain belonged to Baechle, and have not kept in contact with her since 2011
An autopsy revealed she had been born only a day or two before her death, with her umbilical cord - 4-inches of which was still attached to her body - determined to have not been cut by a medical professional
Conditions included GPS monitoring and that she stays within the state of Minnesota. She is believed to have posted bail by Thursday afternoon.
'While her birth mother remained hidden, this community wrapped its arms around this little girl,' Ganrude said. 'More than 150 peopled gathered to mourn this baby girl and ever since they have waited in patience for answers.'
'Today's charges are the first step in holding [Baechle] accountable,' he added.
