News – March 19, 2022


(Theresa) A Milwaukee woman was charged yesterday (Friday) in the 2009 death of a newborn baby that was found in a garbage bag in the Town of Theresa. Karin Luttinen (loo-tin-in) is facing a felony count of Concealing Death of a Child. “Baby Theresa” was discovered on Lone Road near Highway 175 in April nearly 13 years ago. An autopsy revealed that the full-term infant had no trauma which could have caused her death — and no drugs were found in her system. Evidence recovered from the scene helped establish – what was believed to be – a DNA profile of the biological mother. Investigators ran that profile through a national database of convicted felons and sex offenders. Authorities filed charges against the DNA profile in 2014 in order to prevent the six year statute of limitations, which allowed future prosecution. In 2021, thanks in part to advancements in forensic sciences, Luttinen was reportedly identified as the mother. According to the criminal complaint, Luttinen was home alone when she started given birth. She allegedly filled a bathtub with water and after delivering the child, passed out. The water was off and had reportedly drained by the time Luttinen came to roughly 15 minutes later. The complaint says the baby was face down in the water near the drain. Luttinen allegedly told investigators that there was no intention of turning on the water so the baby could not breathe, only so she could get comfortable. The complaint adds that Luttinen never saw the child cry or move. She reportedly wrapped the baby in a towel then placed her in a garbage bag and drove (quote) “aimlessly” until reaching a secluded area. The 45-year-old reportedly said that no one else knew of the birth. A joint press conference with the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Medical Examiner’s Office, and the District Attorney’s Office was held yesterday (Friday) to announce the charges. Sheriff Dale Schmidt says the community is still mourning the loss of “Baby Theresa.” Luttinen had cash bond set at $2,500 during her initial appearance in court and waived her right to a preliminary hearing. The district court administrator will now assign a judge to preside over the case. An arraignment hearing will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Video of the press conference is available at DailyDodge.com.

(Fall River) A Cambria teen was killed after their vehicle was hit by a semi in Fall River yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. Fall River police say one of their officers witnessed the crash on Highway 16 at County Road D around 4:18pm. The investigation showed that the Toyota, driven by 18-year-old Domanic Richter, pulled out from the stop sign on County Road D and was struck by the semi. Richter was pronounced dead at the scene.

(Lomira) A Minnesota woman facing a felony count of Seventh Offense Operating While under the Influence in Dodge County is heading to trial after waiving her right to a preliminary hearing this week. Ebony Lane allegedly used somebody else’s ID, who had no prior OWI convictions, while arrested for driving under the influence in 2016. Local authorities later learned that Lane found the ID in Minnesota after a person claimed they misplaced it while visiting there. According to the criminal complaint, Lane had six prior OWI convictions. If convicted, the 39-year-old faces up to 20 years in prison. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for May 11th.

(Madison) Assembly Speaker Robin Vos this week said he now believes there was “widespread fraud” in Wisconsin’s 2020 election. This is the first time Vos has made such claims. He commented after a meeting with Republicans who want to decertify the results of the election. Vos was heckled by proponents of that effort both at that meeting and in a follow up meeting with county Republican Party leaders in Plover on Wednesday. Vos has consistently explained that there is no way to overturn the results from 2020. President Joe Biden won Wisconsin by some 20,000 votes. Reviews by the Legislative Audit Bureau and conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty found no widespread fraud took place. – WRN

(Wisconsin) Wisconsin Congressman Glenn Grothman is one of just a few lawmakers who voted against ending trade relations with Russia. Grothman joined seven other lawmakers as the sole no votes on a bill that would curtail Russia’s trade status. The bill allows the President to increase tariffs with Russia and neighboring Belarus. Grothman tells the Journal Sentinel that he opposes an expansion of the Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which allows the US and other countries to issue sanctions against individual people for contributing to human rights abuses. He claims it could be used against people who have Christian beliefs. – WRN

(Wisconsin) Tommy Thompson’s time as University of Wisconsin System president is over. Thompson stepped down Thursday. Wisconsin’s former long-time governor took over as interim system president in 2020 and announced plans to retire earlier this year. Milwaukee lawyer Jay Rothman will take over as System president on June 1st. Thompson might run for governor again. He served four terms in the 80s and 90s. He says he will make his decision in April. – WRN

(Beaver Dam) A local non-profit group has announced an upcoming scholarship opportunity. Arc Dodge County, which stands for Advocating Rights of Citizens with Disabilities, is offering $1,000 to two individuals entering the field of special education. Applications are open to any high school senior or college student that resides in Dodge County and has a grade point average of 3.0 or above. Officials with the Arc Dodge County say while the recipient is encouraged to come back to the county after completion of their education, it is not a mandatory requirement. Applications are available from high school guidance counselors. The deadline to apply is April 14th. The scholarship is administered by the executive branch of the Arc Dodge County. Anyone with questions are asked to call 920-520-0144.

(Wisconsin) Now that Winter’s over, be sure you trust where you’re storing your snowmobile or other winter equipment. State consumer protection director Michael Domke says the state has a list of licensed and insured long-term storage warehouses. Domke says that not only does the state inspect those sites, they also secure a bond from the operators in case anything does go wrong. – WRN