Woman arrested a year after allegedly leaving dead newborn in Mpls. homeless encampment

Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a woman nearly 1½ years after she gave birth in a Minneapolis homeless encampment and left the dead baby, according to a criminal complaint.

Leslee Marie Villebrun was apprehended Wednesday in the 1200 block of Washington Avenue N. in connection with charges in Hennepin County District Court of interference with a dead body, a felony.

Villebrun, 34, remains jailed ahead of an April 28 court appearance. A message was left for her attorney seeking a response to the allegations.

About three weeks ago, the sheriff’s office featured Villebrun on its newly launched “Wanted Wednesday” social media campaign as having been on the run since police went to an encampment tent in October 2023 and found the baby in a bag.

“Thanks to the tips we received on Leslee’s whereabouts, deputies were able to arrest her on Wednesday,” an update read.

The sheriff’s office has yet to disclose specifics about Villebrun’s arrest.

According to the complaint:

On Oct. 25, 2023, police were sent to the encampment in the 2300 block of 13th Avenue S. after being alerted about a dead newborn. Officers found the baby in a bag in one of the encampment’s tents.

The tent’s owner said he saw Villebrun was “dazed and confused” after smoking fentanyl, so he invited her to stay with him. They fell asleep, and he awoke alone that same day to find the baby in the bag.

Police soon found Villebrun, who said she was six months’ pregnant and gave birth in a portable toilet in the encampment before passing out. She said she woke up to find her baby was dead. She said she used fentanyl throughout her pregnancy.

Villebrun admitted putting the baby in the bag and did not call 911.