BEMIDJI, Minn. -- The investigation into a 6-year-old Bemidji girl's death may stretch into next week. Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin said Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing and could wrap up Monday.
"I'm thinking about that 6-year-old girl," Mastin said. "I'm not going to hinder an investigation by releasing information before the case is closed."
Once the investigation is completed, the child's name will be released; it has been withheld at the family's request. Originally, the investigation was expected to conclude this week.
Provisional medical reports by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office in St. Paul indicate the girl died of hypothermia due to exposure to frigid conditions when she was found Feb. 27. Mastin said the police department is awaiting the formal report.
Overnight and early morning temperatures in Bemidji on Feb. 27 were in the 25-below range with wind chills of 40 below and colder.
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Police and emergency personnel responded to two emergency calls from the Washington Avenue Apartments in Bemidji at about 6:30 a.m. Feb. 27.
They found the girl inside the front entrance to the apartment building. Police said she was wearing a jacket, boots, a hat and mittens. She had signs of being exposed to the frigid elements and was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
