Three arrested for Hatched Baby theft in La Crosse

LA CROSSE (WKBT) — Three people have been arrested for the theft and damage of the iconic Hatched Baby sculpture that previously sat outside La Crosse City Hall.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds made the announcement Thursday, saying the city thanks community members who supported the investigation.

Arrested were Caden M. Boge, 21, Matthew J. Reich, 20, and Victoria L. Rodewald, 22.

Boge faces charges of theft and possession of stolen property; Reich was arrested on charges of criminal damage to property and receiving stolen property, and Rodewald was cited for possession of stolen property. None has a criminal history in Wisconsin, according to court records.

The blue Hatched Baby sculpture was stolen from outside city hall in early September. It was missing at 7 a.m. Sept. 12 and the front piece of the head was found Sept. 13 on a lawn on King Street.

The sculpture depicting a blue infant inside of an eggshell has sat outside of La Crosse City Hall since 2018. It is on loan from artist Wolfgang Auer of Friedberg, Germany — La Crosse’s sister city. Since 2018, the sculpture has been a conversation topic for many people in the community about its place in the city.

Auer told the city this month that the sculpture would not be fixable because of the damage.

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