A 14-year-old girl hospitalized soon after a newborn was found dead in a southern Minnesota apartment is the baby's mother and had just given birth in the home, authorities said Monday.

The baby girl was discovered by emergency responders late Friday afternoon at the home in the 100 block of 3rd Street N., a block west of Butterfield City Hall, according to the Watonwan County Sheriff's Office.

The newborn was taken to the Ramsey County medical examiner's office to determine what led to the death.

Sheriff Gary Menssen said the mother was taken that evening to St. James Mayo Hospital, then to Mankato Mayo Hospital, and remains hospitalized Monday.

"We are not sure when she will be released," Menssen said.

The sheriff said the birth occurred "within a few hours" of 911 being called.

Sheriff's Chief Deputy Jeremy Nachreiner said investigators were "working through a language barrier" as they gathered information from Spanish speakers.

While the Sheriff's Office is being assisted in the case by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, "we are not looking for anyone at this time" who would be considered a suspect, the sheriff said.

The identity of the girl has not been released.

Butterfield, with a population of about 600, is 45 miles west of Mankato.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482