Joanna Marie Sanchez-Cordero

On March 18, 2026, Minneapolis Police Officers were dispatched to a known residence located in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, on a child not breathing call. Upon arrival, officers located a 2- year-old child, [name withheld — minor] herein, who was being assisted by paramedics. Officers learned that Victim was in the care of his grandparents, including JOANNA MARIE SANCHEZ-CORDERO, the defendant herein. Victim was transported to the hospital where it was determined that he had died. Officers located drug paraphernalia, including a pipe with suspected drug residue, in the bedroom and bathroom of the home.

During their time in the home, officers allowed another child to use the bathroom. Officers noted that after the child used the bathroom, the drug evidence had been moved. The child admitted moving the evidence so that the defendant wouldn’t get in trouble. Officers spoke to Witness A, Victim’s grandfather, who reported that he last observed Victim alive around 11 P.M. The night before. Witness A stated that he heard the defendant say Victim wasn't breathing around 9 A.M. Witness A said he went into the room and felt that Victim was cold.

Witness A stated that the drug paraphernalia in the bedroom belonged to Defendant. Witness A indicated that the drug paraphernalia was normally up on the "thing" but it had been left in the bathroom. He wasn't sure why. He stated that he wasn’t aware of the drugs left on the chair next to the bed. The autopsy revealed that Victim’s cause of death was Acute Fentanyl Toxicity. The defendant is not currently in custody. Given the severity of the charge, the State requests that a warrant issue for the defendant’s arrest.