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Aggravated sentence sought in Baby Angel case
The woman charged in the Baby Angel case in Winona could receive an increased sentence if convicted, according to documents filed last week by the prosecutor in the case.
The paperwork from Assistant Winona County Attorney R. Travis Snider cited several reasons in seeking what’s known as an aggravated sentence against Jennifer Baechle if she’s found guilty of the charges against her.
She’s facing two counts of 2nd Degree Manslaughter in the death of a newborn who was named Baby Angel.
The child’s body was found in a bag in the Mississippi River on September 5, 2011. Angel figurines were also inside the bag.
Nearly 14 years later, Baechle was arrested in April 2025 after DNA linked the two.
Winona woman charged in Baby Angel case-Infant found dead in Mississippi River in 2011
Each of the two charges carries a maximum ten-year prison sentence.
Minnesota court guidelines refer to an aggravated sentence as the following:
“An “aggravated sentence” is a sentence that is an upward durational or dispositional departure from the presumptive sentence provided for in the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines based on aggravating circumstances or a statutory sentencing enhancement.”
In the filing, Snider gave three reasons for wanting the aggravated sentence.
The first was that the victim, a newborn child, was particularly vulnerable.
Secondly, it said the child was “treated with particular cruelty for which the offender should be held responsible.” It went on to say, “It is unknown whether the Victim was placed into the river while she was alive. However, the disposal of the baby demonstrated sophistication and planning.” There was also trauma for the people that found the body of the child in the river.
Lastly, he referred to the length of time in the case.
“Defendant concealed her involvement in the crime for over 13 years. The community was traumatized by the Victim’s death in 2011. Services were held to mourn the Victim, and law enforcement was forced to expend resources to discovery Defendant’s identity. Defendant continued to live her life in the community and did not take responsibility for her actions.”
Baechle is currently out on a $20,000 bond that requires her to not leave the state without approval and submit to GPS monitoring.
Update: Baechle was originally scheduled to have her omnibus hearing on July 7. A motion filed by both the prosecution and defense on July 2 requested more time to prepare for the hearing. Documents filed with the court said that given the amount of evidence in the case, both sides need additional time to prepare. Judge Nancy Buytendorp approved the request and moved the hearing to October 2.
