Authorities have identified a newborn girl found in 1983 on the side of Main Street in Blaine and say the then-teenage mother will not be prosecuted because investigators cannot determine if the baby was born alive.
The girl dubbed Rachel Marie Doe was found on Jan. 21, 1983 on Main Street between Minnesota 65 and Radisson Road by a motorist, according to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office. The placenta was still attached.
The baby’s death was investigated by the Blaine Police Department and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office but detectives were unable to identify the newborn or discover how she had died.
After the initial investigation and autopsy, a community funeral was held, and the newborn was buried at a local church cemetery.
The investigation into the newborn’s identity stemmed from the implementation of the sheriff’s office cold case unit in 2024.
“We are fortunate for the advancements in technology as well as the continuing efforts of law enforcement in bringing this case to a closure,” Blaine Police Chief Brian Podany said in a release on the identification. “Our Blaine community was greatly affected by this case and our hearts remain with Baby Rachel Doe and all those affected by this case.”
DNA analysis by Othram, a forensic laboratory specializing in difficult DNA cases, led investigators to the mother, who was a teenager at the time of the baby’s birth.
She told police she gave birth while alone at her parents’ home and, because the baby was unresponsive, she believed it was stillborn. Panicking, she left the baby on the side of the road saying she hoped a passerby would discover it.
The woman told authorities that until then she’d never told anyone about the pregnancy or what happened to the baby.
Related Articles
St. Paul police investigating death after assault call
Marine on St. Croix finally getting a cellular tower
Macalester community ‘heartbroken’ by student’s death in off-campus accident
Metro Transit increases officer visibility during winter months
Lawsuit filed after St. Paul City Council unanimously approves firearms regulation ordinance
When detectives spoke with the father, he was unaware of the pregnancy or birth. People close to the mother and father were interviewed and said they were also unaware of the mother’s pregnancy or the birth.
A current forensic pathologist from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office re-examined the 1983 autopsy results and agreed with the initial findings: they could not determine if the baby was stillborn or a live birth.
The Anoka County Attorney’s Office conducted a review of potential charges, officials said, and concluded that because there wasn’t any evidence showing a homicide was committed, no charges will be filed against the mother.
“Many law enforcement professionals throughout these decades have worked to bring answers to this sad situation, and we are proud to give all who were affected by this story some closure,” said Anoka County Sheriff Brad Wise.
Anoka County authorities ask anyone with knowledge to share about any cold case to submit their tip to ACSOColdCases@anokacountymn.gov.
Leave a Reply