Mother arrested in 14-year-old cold case of ‘Baby Angel’ infant found dead in Mississippi River

A woman, Jennifer Nichole Baechle, 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.

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.

The newborn, wrapped in a green T-shirt and encased in two plastic garbage bags, was placed inside a tote from a Mexican resort along with a pendant, incense, and several angel figurines, leading to her being known as “Baby Angel.”

“While her birth mother remained hidden, this community wrapped its arms around this little girl,” Winona County Sheriff Ron Ganrude said at a press conference.

“She deserved better than a watery grave, she deserved more than a life cut short,” Ganrude added.

Baby Angel was born just a day or two before she died, as revealed by a 2011 autopsy. The autopsy also showed that she had suffered several skull fractures and had a 4-inch cord attached that was not cut by a medical provider.

In 2023, a nonprofit genetic research company identified Baechle as a possible lead in the case. Despite initially denying police requests for a DNA sample, authorities were able to collect a used feminine hygiene product from the trash outside her home.

Subsequent testing confirmed the match, with DNA found on the bag Baby Angel was found in also matching Baechle’s. Baechle’s family stated they did not have contact with her in 2011 and that she was living in a van, collecting angel figurines and the pendant found with her baby.

If convicted, Baechle faces four years in prison. She is currently held on bail pending trial.