Mother arrested in 14-year-old cold case of ‘Baby Angel' infant found dead in Mississippi River
A woman has been charged in the cold case of an infant found dead and floating in the Mississippi River 14 years ago after DNA testing revealed she was the mother of the newborn dubbed Baby Angel, according to officials.
Jennifer Nichole Baechle, 43, was charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter for the death of the newborn, who was found floating in a bag on Sept. 5, 2011, in a section of the river near Winona, Minnesota, officials there announced Thursday.
The newborn was wrapped in a green T-shirt, encased in two plastic garbage bags, and then placed inside a tote from a Mexican resort also containing a pendant, incense,and several angel figurines, leading to her being known as 'Baby Angel,' a criminal complaint obtained by the Winona Post noted.
3 Jennifer Nichole Baechle was charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter for the 14-year-old cold case of the death of her infant, found dead in a bag in the Mississippi River.
Winona County Sheriff
'While her birth mother remained hidden, this community wrapped its arms around this little girl,' Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude said at a Thursday press conference.
'Ever since, they've waited in patience for answers that she deserved. We never gave up working to find those answers.'
'She deserved better than a watery grave, she deserved more than a life cut short.' Ganrude said.
3 'Baby Angel' was born a day or two before she died, an autopsy revealed.
Minnesota-Wisconsin K9 Search and Rescue
Baby Angel was born just a day or two before she died, a 2011 autopsy revealed.
A 4-inch cord was attached to the baby and did not appear to be cut by a medical provider — and she had suffered several skull fractures, the autopsy said.
3 The baby was found with several angel figurines, dubbing her 'Baby Angel.'
FOX 9 KMSP
Multiple agencies investigated the baby's death, but there were no major developments until 2023, when a nonprofit genetic research company, Firebird Forensics Group, identified Baechle as a possible lead in the case.
Baechle denied police requests for a DNA sample — but authorities were able to collect a used feminine hygiene product from the trash outside her home.
The match was confirmed with additional testing a year later, with DNA found on the bag Baby Angel was found in also matching Baechles, the complaint said.
Baechle's family said they did not have contact with her in 2011, and that she was living in a van — but knew she collected angel figurines and the pendant found with her baby, according to the document.
If convicted, she faces four years in prison, cops said.
She is currently held on an unconditional bail of $200,000 and a conditional bail of $20,000, pending her agreement not to leave the state and wear a GPS monitor after a judge determined her to be a flight risk.
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Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
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New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Illegal migrant rioter charged with hurling molotov at LA cops after chilling footage captured him stalking police
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Murder trial for 'El Diablo' begins with opening statements
Jun. 11—Antonio Riano does not deny he shot Benjamin Becarra outside a Hamilton bar 20 years ago. But his defense attorneys this week will try to prove he did it in self defense. The murder trial for Riano, also known as 'El Diablo,' began today with opening statements after jurors were chosen Tuesday in a Butler County Common Pleas courtroom. The prosecution said the 63-year-old Mexican national said he ruthlessly shot the 25-year-old Becarra in the face on Dec. 19, 2024, with a .38 Smith & Wesson. The defense said Riano was at a breaking point, claiming he and his family were terrorized by the man he shot. Assistant prosecutor Michael Hon led the proceedings Wednesday with his opening statement before a jury of 12 and two alternates. The facts show that the two men were at the Round House Bar on East Avenue and Long Street. Riano was inside when Becarra walked through a door off Long Street. An argument ensued, which had continued outside the bar. Hon said Riano fired a shot into the ground, and Becarra told a cousin to call 911. Then Riano walked away, but turned back, and they continued arguing. A bystander from the bar stood between the two men, but Hon said Riano pulled out his gun, stretched his arm over that bystander, and shot Becarra in the face. Defense attorney Kara Blackney said the shooting was in self-defense, and told the jury her client had "enough." She said Becarra and his friends terrorized him and his family — he had a wife and three children under 10 at the time — and allegedly attacked his younger brother. "Antonio wasn't going to the Round House Bar looking for a fight," Blackney said, adding his "El Diablo" nickname stems from volunteer work for his church as a teenager. "The fight found him." Blackney said the shooting happened mid-afternoon on Dec. 19, 2004, and Becarra said his blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit and tested positive for cocaine. She was also told he was not permitted in that bar, as well as others, due to a fight the day prior. Hon told the jurors that the evidence presented and the witnesses called "may seem out of order to you," mostly in part due to navigating schedules and travel of witnesses, "it will all come together at the end." Butler County authorities worked the case for two decades with federal authorities to bring Riano back to Hamilton on the murder charge. According to Blackney, Riano fled Hamilton, going to New Jersey before heading to Mexico, where he had lived for the past 20 years, including working as a police officer in his hometown. Riano was indicted on the murder charge in February 2005. He was extradited back to the United States with the help of the U.S. Marshals Office and other authorities on Aug. 1.
