13 Years After ‘Baby Angel’ Found in River, Winona Woman Charged
One of the angel figurines found wrapped with the baby’s body.
A Winona woman has been charged in relation to the death of a newborn baby who was discovered in the Mississippi River nearly 14 years ago.
On Thursday, April 24, Jennifer Nichole Baechle, 43, was charged in Winona County District Court with two counts of second-degree manslaughter.
According to the criminal complaint, the charges stem from the discovery on Sept. 5, 2011, of a full-term infant inside a bag and floating near the Minnesota shoreline, south of Winona.
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The unidentified child, known for years only as “Baby Angel,” had suffered skull fractures while still alive. The complaint said that no evidence of medical intervention was found for treatment of the child’s injuries, and an updated autopsy concluded they could have been successfully treated if proper care was given.
The Winona County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Firebird Forensics Group, re-opened the case using forensic genetic genealogy. In 2023, deputies identified Baechle as a potential match through a DNA lead and later confirmed maternity through testing by the Minnesota BCA. The BCA’s analysis concluded that the unidentified infant was 570,000 times more likely to be Baechle’s biological child than if they were completely unrelated.
Family members also told investigators that Baechle had been living in a van at the time and she correctly identified personal items found with the baby—such as a blue pendant and angel figurines—as belonging to her.
YouTube: Watch our prior investigation on ‘Baby Angel’
Baechle is charged with two counts if second-degree manslaughter, one count for culpable negligence and one count while endangering a child. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Authorities emphasized the role of new forensic methods in finally closing these cold cases:
“We are grateful to be able to provide answers for this community and for Baby Angel,” Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude said Thursday.
Baechle made an initial court appearance Thursday where bail was set at $200,000 with no conditions, or $20,000 with conditions including GPS monitoring and to remain law-abiding. Her next court appearance is set for July 7, 2025.
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