Mother Sentenced In Winona's Baby Angel Case After Guilty Plea

Winona, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Winona woman charged in connection with the “Baby Angel” case has been sentenced after entering a guilty plea.

Boaters discovered the body of a newborn floating in the Mississippi River about seven miles south of Winona in September of 2011.

The infant was inside of a bag that also contained a pendant, incense, and several angel figurines.

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Last year, Winona County authorities announced the arrest of the infant's mother, after spending more than 13 years looking for her.

Using DNA testing, Winona County Sheriff’s Office investigators identified the child’s mother as 43-year-old Jennifer Nichole Baechle of Winona.

Mother of Baby Angel Enters Plea Agreement, Gets Sentenced in Winona

A test of the sample obtained found “strong evidence” that Baechle was the biological mother of Baby Angel.

Her DNA was matched to the deceased infant and also was found on the incense stick that was in the bag with the baby girl, a criminal complaint filed in Winona County Court in April of 2025 says.

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An autopsy found the infant has suffered multiple skull fractures and brain bleeding.

The medical examiner determined the infant suffered the injuries after birth and did not receive professional medical assistance during or immediately after being born, the charges say.

The criminal complaint says investigators learned Baechle was living in a van in Winona and that she would be gifted angel figurines at Christmas time.

Plea Deal Includes Stayed Prison Sentence

Baechle was charged with two counts of second-degree manslaughter and a gross misdemeanor charge of interference with a dead body.

On Wednesday, Baechle entered a plea agreement which calls for her to plead guilty to the interference charge in exchange for the dismissal of the manslaughter counts.

Court records indicate she was immediately sentenced to two-year stayed prison term per the terms of the plea agreement.