Overview

• Jennifer Nichole Baechle was charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter for the 2011 death of a newborn, known as 'Baby Angel,' found in the Mississippi River near Winona, Minnesota.
• Genetic genealogy, conducted by Firebird Forensics Group, identified Baechle as the infant's mother after investigators obtained her DNA through a warrant in 2024.
• An updated autopsy in 2024 revealed the infant sustained head injuries while alive, had a four-inch umbilical cord attached, and showed no evidence of medical intervention.
• The baby was discovered in a bag containing angel figurines, incense, and a pendant, which family members later identified as belonging to Baechle, who was known to collect angel-themed items.
• Baechle appeared in court on April 24, 2025, where bail was set at $200,000 unconditional or $20,000 conditional, with GPS monitoring and a no-travel order within Minnesota.