Attorney General’s Office and Morrison County Attorney’s Office secure convictions for 2nd degree felony murder and 1st degree manslaughter

Jury convicts Erik Adrian Blanco of both counts following death of 14-month old child and finds facts to support an aggravated sentence

March 5, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — Yesterday, after a jury trial lasting more than a week, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has secured the convictions of Erik Adrian Blanco for 2nd degree felony murder and 1st degree manslaughter following the July 6, 2023, assault and killing of a toddler in Little Falls, Minnesota.

On July 6, 2023, officers responded to a residence in Little Falls where a toddler in Blanco’s care was unresponsive and not breathing. The child, who was 14 months of age, had bruising on her face as well as marks on her neck and behind her ears.  The child was transported to the hospital, however, life-saving measures were unsuccessful.  An autopsy revealed that the toddler had suffered blunt force trauma, asphyxial injuries, numerous hemorrhages, and a skull fracture, which caused her death.  At trial, the jury found beyond a reasonable doubt that Blanco abused his position of authority over the victim and that the child was particularly vulnerable because of her young age, which rendered her unable to seek help or defend herself.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Blanco upon a referral from Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01, which provides, “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.” The authority vested in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is primarily civil.  Aside from referrals submitted under section 8.01 and Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts. That authority generally rests with city and county attorneys.

"My heart breaks for the innocent life that was taken, and for her family," said Attorney General Ellison. "I cannot imagine the anguish they must feel to this day, and I’m praying for strength and resilience for them. Justice can be cold comfort in the face of such tragedy, but I hope that today’s verdict can still provide some measure of consolation in this difficult time. I'm grateful to the members of law enforcement who investigated this heinous crime, to the members of my Criminal Division who secured today’s guilty verdict, and all who assisted with this trial."

Attorney General Ellison thanks the Little Falls Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota State Patrol, who assisted in the investigation and successful prosecution of this crime.