Minneapolis police have confirmed that a deceased “fetus” was found inside a tent at a south Minneapolis encampment Wednesday afternoon.
Just after 5 p.m. Wednesday, police were requested to assist EMS personnel at the encampment located on the 2300 block of 14th Avenue South on a report of a “female with possibly a baby that is DOA in a bag,” according to police dispatch audio.
While police were still responding, the dispatcher updated to police that an outreach worker was flagged down by people who said there may have been a miscarriage at the encampment.
Several squads responded and secured the scene for EMS to enter. More squads were subsequently requested to the site for crowd control.
Police indicated that some evidence, including a bloody blanket, may have been located in a trash bin on the street outside of the encampment. Further audio indicated that the baby was eventually transported away by EMS with an officer accompanying.
Minneapolis police subsequently released a brief statement which said that a “fetus” had been found dead inside a tent at the encampment with a woman. MPD said the fetus was transported to the medical examiner who will determine the cause and manner of death. The woman was transported to the hospital, they said, but her condition was not specified.
Crime Watch Minneapolis has been reporting about the encampment at this location for weeks where there have been overdoses, shots fired, and shootings, along with mountains of trash that have piled up.
A woman named Nicole Mason, a Native American activist who claims to have set up the encampment, has been making demands to the city for trash removal.
Some neighbors report that thefts have increased along with drug activity and damage to property in the neighborhood. Neighbors also assert that there is a bicycle “chop shop” at the location, implying that bicycles are being stolen and dismantled as scrap or parts for cash.
Minneapolis – STOLEN from a home near the encampment at E 23rd St and 13th Ave S.
Weighs over 500 lbs.
If you see this one-of-a-kind statue, call 911 with its location. pic.twitter.com/zETNn2IaJQ— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) October 22, 2023
In the last week, a neighborhood resident reported to Crime Watch that loads of lumber were being dropped off at the encampment and turned into yurts inside the fenced-off encampment, which is on City of Minneapolis property across the street from a community center.
The City of Minneapolis evicted two encampments last Thursday, one at 1st Avenue South and East Lake Street and another nearby at 2nd Avenue South and East 31st Street, which are less than two miles from the 13th Avenue encampment. Conditions near these encampments had become so unsafe that Metro Transit shut down the bus stop at 1st and Lake Street citing safety concerns prior to the camps being evicted.
Alpha News reported in August on the encampment at 2nd Avenue and 31st Street and how its presence was negatively impacting neighborhood residents due to drug use and mail theft, among other concerns.
Information was not immediately available on whether the city has plans to dismantle the 13th Avenue encampment in light of recent shootings, the death of the “fetus,” and other neighborhood concerns.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
