TURLOCK, Calif. — A mother from Stanislaus County is facing significant prison time after being found guilty of second-degree murder and child neglect in relation to the tragic drowning of her 2-year-old daughter last September.
Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, was accused by prosecutors of leaving her daughter, Daniellé Pires, unattended for approximately 30 minutes while she engaged in phone conversations with men she met through dating apps. During this period, the toddler ventured outside and fell into a swimming pool, ultimately leading to her death just days before her third birthday.
On September 12, first responders were dispatched to the family’s residence in southeast Turlock following a 911 call about an unresponsive child in a pool. Upon arrival around 3:30 p.m., Turlock police and paramedics performed CPR on the young girl after retrieving her from the water and rushed her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators discovered that Brassart had been located in the master bedroom during the incident and made no attempt to save her daughter from the pool. While she later claimed her leg injury prevented her from rescuing Daniellé, surveillance footage contradicted this statement, showing her moving freely within the house. Authorities noted that Brassart had previously used crutches and a walking boot but had been seen driving and attending appointments in the weeks leading up to the incident.
When police arrived, they reported Brassart appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Forensic tests found her blood alcohol level to be three times the legal limit for driving. Prior warnings from relatives about her drinking while caring for her children highlighted a concerning pattern of neglect.
Court testimony revealed that Brassart had instructed Daniellé to let the family’s dogs outside, leading the toddler to the backyard unsupervised while her mother remained on the phone. Security cameras later recorded the child struggling in the water before drowning.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors emphasized Brassart’s problematic history of neglect, citing an earlier incident involving another one of her six children who had to be hospitalized after ingesting medication. Following that occurrence, she completed a parenting course that included guidance on the dangers of leaving young children without supervision.
Brassart’s defense team argued the incident was an unfortunate accident and contended that she believed her daughter was still indoors. However, prosecutors maintained that her actions reflected a dangerous neglect of her child’s safety, particularly in light of her intoxication and choice to prioritize personal calls over parental responsibilities.
As the case concludes, sentencing is set for February 5, when Brassart will face a minimum of 15 years to life in prison due to her conviction on serious charges of murder and child neglect.