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MPR News Staff
St. Paul, Minn.

Bemidji woman faces manslaughter charge in 6-year-old's hypothermia death

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A 22-year-old Bemidji woman has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and felony neglect of a child in the death of her 6-year-old cousin.

Rachel Downer was charged in court Monday. Law officers and emergency medical personnel found the girl, Mercedes Mayfield, unresponsive outside a Bemidji apartment building last month. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Ramsey County medical examiner's office confirmed the girl died of hypothermia. On the day she was found, morning temperatures were 27 degrees below zero with a wind chill of 40 below.

Rachel Downer was staying with the girl's family and was helping babysit Mercedes and her siblings.