Attorney Weighs In On Arrest In Death Of Bemidji Girl
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO0 -- Charges are expected Monday against a 22-year-old woman in Bemidji, who was arrested in connection with the death of her 6-year-old cousin.
Rachel Downer is facing charges of manslaughter and felony neglect of a child in the death of Mercedes Mayfield.
Downer was watching her cousin last month when the little girl was found frozen to death at the entrance of her apartment.
The temperature at the time was minus 27.
Twin Cities attorney Bruce Rivers says it will be a difficult case to defend.
"They're predisposed to having a jury on the side of the child to begin with," Rivers said. "The defense is going to have an uphill battle because it's a death of a child."
Police say the case has been difficult as well because many of the officers involved have children.