Woman Whose Niece Died in Cold Violates Probation

The Bemidji woman convicted of manslaughter in the death of her six-year-old cousin has been charged with theft.

Prosecutors say that’s a violation of her probation.

23-year-old Rachel Downer was given 10 years of supervised probation for the death of Mercedes Mayfield, who froze to death outside her apartment in 2014.

A four-year prison sentence was stayed as long as Downer followed the conditions of her probation.

She was ticketed last month for shoplifting $67 worth of items from Walmart in Bemidji.

Downer will find out what happens next in court on November 2nd.