In search for missing pregnant woman, Fargo police find infant; 2 arrested

The mystery of a young pregnant woman's disappearance took a startling turn Thursday when police carrying out their third search of an apartment in Fargo, N.D., where she was last seen found a live newborn.

Two people who live in the unit where the baby was found have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Savanna Marie Greywind, who was eight months pregnant when last seen in the apartment complex, where she also lives, last weekend, said Fargo Police Chief David Todd.

On Friday, detectives asked citizens to search their garages, outbuildings and even dumpsters for evidence that might help them find Greywind.

Authorities also said they are looking for a brown 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV with Minnesota license plate 876 EPR that might be connected to the case, Todd said. The vehicle has rust on the roof and is missing paint on the hood.

Brooke Lynn Crews, 38, and William Hoehn, 32, who are in the Cass County jail in Fargo, have been charged with felony conspiracy to commit kidnapping. Neither has cooperated with investigators, Todd said.

According to the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, Hoehn pleaded guilty to child neglect or abuse in 2012 after he fractured his infant son's skull.

This past November, he was convicted of trying to tie up his then-girlfriend, slamming her down into a bathtub and trying to drown her, according to the Bismarck Tribune.

According to the Forum, after Greywind was reported missing, Hoehn was arrested on a warrant for an unpaid fine for violation of a no-contact order. He was released from the Cass County jail on Wednesday. It is unclear whether the arrest was related to the 2016 domestic-abuse case.

Last Saturday, Greywind went to Unit No. 5 in the apartment building at 2825 N. 9th St. to help a neighbor with a sewing project, police said. The suspects lived in No. 5.

Greywind was last seen about 1:30 p.m. that day, and family members reported her missing about three hours later, Todd said.

Police questioned the suspects, but initial interviews yielded no leads. Crews told police that Greywind left the apartment after she helped with the sewing project.

A subsequent search of the apartment turned up nothing.

Investigators following up on additional leads obtained another search warrant and returned to the unit about 2 p.m. Thursday, when they found the infant, who was taken to Sanford Children's Hospital in Fargo.

Police said the infant is in good health and in the hands of Child Protective Services. DNA tests are being conducted to determine if the infant is Greywind's, Todd said.

"Our investigation thus far indicates the probability that this is Savanna Greywind's child," Todd said in his statement.

Crews, who was in the apartment when police found the baby, was arrested. Hoehn was detained at a different location during a traffic stop, Todd said.

Over the past several days, the department has deployed 35 detectives, four sergeants, two lieutenants and a deputy chief to try to find the missing woman.

Local, state and federal agencies have also been involved in searches of the area, using police dogs, boats and three aircraft.

"The Fargo Police Department has put all of its resources in solving this case from the beginning," Todd said.

Still, there has been no sign of Greywind.

Anybody with information is asked to call Fargo police at 701-235-7335.

Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768