Sleepy Eye Police Department Press Release:
Date: May 12, 2025
On May 12, 2025, SEPD contacted the Minnesota State Fire Marshal for an update on this investigation. The State Fire Marshal provided following statement, “An exact cause has not been determined, but we’ve ruled out the possibility of foul play.”
Katie Rehbein remains in critical condition. Her 3-year-old son is now listed as critical.
Date: May 9, 2025, at 1645 hours
The 29 YOA adult female, Katie Rehbein of Sleepy Eye, is currently at the Hennepin
County Medical Center. Katie is listed in critical condition due to extensive burns and
smoke inhalation. Katie’s son, the 3 YOA juvenile, is also at the Hennepin County
Medical Center. The other four occupants (Mindi Rehbein 56 YOA adult female, JV
Male 11 YOA, JV Female 8 YOA, and JV Male 6 YOA) were treated and released from
the Sleepy Eye Medical Center.
The source of fire is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshal, SEFD and SEPD.
The Sleepy Eye Police Department does not have any other confirmed medical
information for any of the victims. Further information regarding the victims and the
source of the fire will be updated as the investigation proceeds.
On May 8th, 2025, at approximately 0701 hours, the Sleepy Eye Police Department (SEPD), the Sleepy Eye Fire Department (SEFD) and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) were dispatched to a residential house fire on the 700 block of 3rd Avenue NE. When SEPD and SEFD arrived on scene two citizens were assisting the occupants out of the residence which was fully engulfed. Officers also learned that one adult female was still inside the residence, SEFD immediately entered the residence and removed the adult female. This adult female (29 YOA) and one juvenile male (3 YOA) were transported to the Sleepy Eye Medical Center by Sleepy Eye Ambulance and then flown to the Twin Cities for further treatment. The other four occupants (Female 56 YOA, Male 11 YOA, 8 YOA female, and Male 6 YOA) were also transported to the Sleepy Eye Medical Center.
This fire is an active investigation by the State Fire Marshal, SEFD and SEPD as accidental. Investigators are working to determine the source of the fire. Further information regarding the victims will be updated as the investigation proceeds.
29 YOA female conditions are currently listed as critical.
3 YOA male conditions are currently listed as guarded.