The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Homicide Unit is dedicated to seeking closure and justice for victims and their families in unsolved cases. As a part of the unit’s ongoing efforts, a major development is being announced in the 1983 Rachel Marie Doe death investigation in the City of Blaine. Through a wide range of DNA testing, the mother and father of the child have been identified.
“After 42 years, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office’s Cold Case Unit has successfully identified the parents of this child, whose story weighed heavily on the hearts of the community back in 1983, as well as today. 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 Sheriff Brad Wise.
On Jan. 21, 1983, a newborn baby girl with her placenta still attached was found on the side of the road on Main Street, between Highway 65 and Radisson Road, in the City of Blaine. A motorist located the baby on the side of the road and left the area to place a call to law enforcement. The Blaine Police Department and Anoka County Sheriff’s Office immediately began their investigation into the baby’s death.
At the time the baby was located, the medical examiner was unable to confirm whether the baby had been born alive or deceased. After an autopsy was conducted, a community funeral was held, and she was buried at a local church cemetery. Detectives conducted interviews with multiple individuals including those in the area where the baby was found and people who attended the baby’s funeral. They also put out many requests for the public’s assistance and followed up on leads submitted. However, they were unable to determine the parents of the baby, or how she was placed on the road.
As a part of the implementation of the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit in 2024, it was determined that this case qualified for further genealogical testing with saved biological evidence. Thanks to funding from the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative’s National Cold Case Initiative, samples from the baby’s umbilical cord were sent to Othram, a forensic genetic genealogy laboratory, to determine any potential investigative leads through familial DNA. Results provided possible maternal and paternal matches. With those leads, detectives continued their investigation, which ultimately led to a conversation with the suspected mother in July of 2025.
During a meeting with detectives, the child’s mother confirmed her relationship to the baby, as well as the circumstances around the incident in question. In 1983, a then teenage female gave birth to a baby while alone at her parents’ home. According to the mother, the baby was unresponsive at birth and believed it was stillborn.
In a state of panic, she left that baby on the side of the road in hopes it would be discovered by a passerby. She had not told anyone about the pregnancy or what happened to the baby until meeting with detectives. The father was subsequently spoken with, and he was unaware of the baby’s existence. Individuals close to the mother and father at the time of, and after the pregnancy, were spoken to. None of those interviewed had any knowledge of the mother’s pregnancy or baby’s birth.
At the reopening of the case, a current forensic pathologist from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office reexamined the autopsy results from 1983. The current pathologist held the same professional conclusion that they could not determine if the baby was stillborn or a live birth.
“We are fortunate for the advancements in technology as well as the continuing efforts of law enforcement in bringing this case to a closure. Our Blaine community was greatly affected by this case and our hearts remain with Baby Rachel Doe and all those affected by this case,” said Blaine Police Department Chief Brian Podany. “Thank you to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit as well as the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative’s National Cold Case Initiative, and Othram for the support and efforts for justice and closure in this decades long investigation.”
Upon the completion of further investigative work, this case was submitted to the Anoka County Attorney’s Office for review of possible charges applicable to 1983 laws. The attorney’s office conducted a thorough review of potential charges relating to circumstances that could be proven. Due to the lack of evidence showing a homicide was committed, and any applicable statute of limitations pertaining to the disposal of human remains having long expired, the attorney’s office declined to file any charges against the mother. As no arrests or formal charges are warranted, the identities of the parents are not being shared in this news release.
“Top prosecutors in our office reviewed this case for potential charges. The evidence and the interests of justice do not support the filing of any criminal charges in this case, and we respect this family’s privacy now that our work is done. We appreciate all the care and attention that the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office have given to this case and to answer the questions that surrounded the discovery of this child,” said Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson.
The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and the Anoka County Attorney’s Office work hard daily to investigate incidents where crimes may have occurred. Following the evidence and seeking the truth of situations is a responsibility not taken lightly. While there are instances where criminal charges are appropriate and necessary to hold individuals accountable, there are times when the situation does not allow for them. Nevertheless, it is important for our community to receive the answers they have been waiting for once they are publicly available. Sheriff Wise, and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office are grateful to the decades of law enforcement, medical, and legal professionals who have worked on this case. Additionally, thank you to the community in 1983, as well as today, for keeping this child’s memory alive. It is with hope that with the resolution of this case, healing can occur for all who have been impacted.
Republished courtesy of Anoka County Sheriff’s Office