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DNA links parents with baby’s body found in Stearns County
After discovering the identities of Baby Jane Doe’s parents, Stearns County investigators said they’ve decided to close the decades-old cold case without charges.
ST AUGUSTA, Minn. — Stearns County officials announced they’re closing a decades-old cold case after a recent review of DNA evidence.
According to a statement from the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, the case stems from the discovery of an infant’s body just feet off a roadway in St. Augusta, Minnesota, on April 3, 1980. Sheriff’s officials said investigators were able to use DNA taken from the full-term, live-born baby, identified as Baby Jane Doe, and finally determine the identities of both of her parents.
Further, officials decided criminal charges would not be warranted in this case.
“You have to be that voice for somebody that can’t speak,” said Sheriff Steve Soyka. “You take them personal.”
The sheriff’s office said Baby Jane Doe was exhumed in 2018 to gather DNA evidence, but for unknown reasons, they did not obtain a profile. Two years later, investigators reexamined various organ samples taken from the baby during her autopsy in 1980 and were able to collect a sufficient DNA profile from the baby’s spleen.
“By no means am I the catalyst behind the movement of it, but at the same time, it was a priority of mine to work on old cases and see if we could advance them in any way,” said Sheriff Soyka.
In 2021, Parabon NanoLabs was asked to assist in the investigation, leading authorities to a search for Baby Jane Doe’s potential grandparents.
That same year, officials compared DNA taken from a woman’s autopsy that had previously taken place in Hennepin County. The results, according to the sheriff’s office, showed the woman and baby were linked genetically. Authorities said they found “strong evidence” to support the notion the link was that of a biological mother-daughter relationship.
“Once that kind of hit, then we really took off on some momentum,” said Sheriff Soyka.
The case took another turn earlier this year, as Parabon NanoLabs found a potential link to the baby’s biological father. Authorities collected the man’s DNA with his consent and compared his profile to Baby Jane Doe. According to the sheriff’s office, the DNA again showed “strong evidence” to support the relationship between the man and baby as a biological father-daughter relationship.
It was sometime in May or June of this year, that the sheriff’s office said investigators spoke with the man and determined he didn’t know about Baby Jane Doe.
Following the discovery of the baby’s parent’s identities and the completion of interviews relevant to the case, the sheriff’s office said it could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a particular person committed a crime. The mother’s death also played a factor in deciding to close the case without charges.
“Unfortunately, because of certain circumstances, we got to the point where there’s nothing else we can do and there’s no crime that we can say somebody did,” said Sheriff Soyka. “It’s just nice to have a conclusion to a case that’s been sitting there plaguing our agency for numerous years.”
Prosecutors charged 45-year-old Trevor Joseph Wunderlich with second-degree murder in the death of his 68-year-old mother, Charlene Gail Wunderlich.
HUGO, Minn. — The man who was the “person of interest” in the north metro search Monday night was charged Thursday morning in the murder of his mother.
Prosecutors charged 45-year-old Trevor Joseph Wunderlich with second-degree murder in the death of his 68-year-old mother, Charlene Gail Wunderlich.
According to court documents, Washington County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call from a home in the 15000 block of Ingersoll Ave. at approximately 5:55 p.m. on Sept. 16.
Dispatchers said they “could hear noises on the line consistent with an ongoing assault or struggle.”
When deputies arrived they found Charlene Gail Wunderlich on the kitchen floor severely injured, according to the criminal complaint. Deputies tried to “detain the defendant, but he ran into the basement of the home and fled out a rear door.”
Charlene Gail Wunderlich told the deputies that her son beat her before she lost consciousness. She was rushed to the hospital but died from her injuries.
Law enforcement agencies across the metro launched a manhunt for Wunderlich. Sheriff’s officials warned the public not to approach him as he was considered dangerous.
Just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, a resident in the 9800 block of 152nd St. N saw a man matching Wunderlich’s description in their trailer. KARE 11 spoke to the woman who owns the trailer, and she says her dogs were growling at the trailer, and when she opened the door Wunderlich was sleeping inside.
The woman said she screamed to her son who was working on the property to call 911. Her son had a brief conversation with Wunderlich and then Wunderlich ran down the road with no shoes to another property where, according to officials, police arrested him.
According to court documents, in 2021 Wunderlich was sentenced to 203 days in prison for violating a domestic abuse no-contact order. While serving that sentence, he was convicted of fourth-degree assault against a correctional officer.
The FDA recently approved the first pill to help symptoms of postpartum depression.
Having a baby is an exciting time in many parents’ lives. But for some parents, that excitement can come with postpartum depression and other emotions that can be difficult to talk about.
Dr. Lisa Saul, the national medical director of women’s health at UnitedHealthcare, visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share tips for parents and loved ones affected by postpartum depression.
First of all, what is it? The Mayo Clinic states that postpartum depression usually begins during or up to a year after a pregnancy. The symptoms include depressed mood, mood swings, crying excessively, difficulty bonding with the baby, withdrawing from friends and family, feelings of worthlessness, and additional symptoms.
The experience is more common than you might expect, as it affects up to 15% of people, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In August, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first pill to treat postpartum depression. This medication may lessen symptoms.
Saul also recommended talking about your feelings to loved ones and healthcare providers for support.
August was a promising month for employers, as 14,400 jobs were added.
Minnesota employers logged a remarkable August as they recorded the largest monthly increase in jobs in two years, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
In August, employers added 14,400 jobs. Employment grew by 0.5% in the state, exceeding the national average of 0.1%, according to DEED’s release. Unemployment rates increased to 3.3%, which still is lower than the national rate of 4.2%.
“We added the most jobs in a single month in two years, reflecting employers’ ongoing appetite to hire more workers,” DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek said in a statement. “September is Workforce Development Month in Minnesota, offering a reminder of the initiatives underway to invest in our economic future by recruiting and retaining workers and making sure Minnesota is creating the jobs of the future right here at home.”
Leisure and Hospitality jobs saw the most growth in Minnesota in August, increasing by 1.6%. Education and Health Services and Professional and Business Services also saw notable increases.
As for wages, DEED reported that the average private sector hourly wage is $37.74, which is a 5.9% increase over this year.
“Wage growth has consistently outpaced inflation, which is a good thing as we work to attract and retain talented workers for our labor force,” said Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyen in a statement.
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