Kanabec Co. mom charged after January death of 5-month-old daughter

KANABEC COUNTY, MN-- An Embarrass woman has been charged after allegedly killing her 5-month-old daughter in January.

The incident happened on January 22, 2022, when deputies went to 111 7th Street, in Mora because an infant wasn’t breathing.

According to the criminal complaint, the 5-month-old’s dad came home to find the mom, Sarah Declusin sleeping on the couch with their little girl pressed between her and the cushion.

When first responders arrived, the girl was pale, not breathing and had no pulse.

She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

An autopsy determined the cause of death as asphyxia.

Declusin initially told investigators that someone must have moved the child while she was sleeping, but a neighbor reported to child services that Declusin came to their door that night and said she had been drinking, smoking meth and had taken Valium.

The complaint also stated that another neighbor told investigators that Declusin was telling people around her not to talk to law enforcement.

Declusin is charged with second-degree manslaughter and child endangerment from the January death of her daughter in Mora.

If convicted she could do up to 15 years in prison.