Socialites, get into this wild story: A California jury has convicted a Turlock mother of murder after her 2-year-old daughter drowned in a backyard pool a tragedy prosecutors say never should have happened.
Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, was found guilty this week of second-degree murder and felony child endangerment in the death of her daughter, Daniellé Pires. The ruling came after evidence showed Brassart was intoxicated and focused on dating apps instead of watching her child.
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According to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office, the drowning happened on Sept. 12. Brassart called 911 around 3:30 p.m., telling dispatchers her daughter was floating in the pool and not responding. Emergency crews rushed to the home and pulled the toddler from the water. They tried to save her life, but sadly it was too late.
Security footage later told a painful story. Prosecutors say Daniellé had been left alone outside for a long stretch of time before falling into the pool. That footage triggered an immediate investigation.
Investigators say Brassart didn’t even try to save her child!! After calling for help, Brassart “remained in the home and never attempted to rescue Daniellé,” District Attorney Jeff Laugero said. Not only that, but prosecutors revealed that for about 45 minutes, Brassart was on her phone talking to men she met through dating apps while her daughter was unattended.
So what was Brassart’s excuse?
She claimed she couldn’t reach the pool because of a leg injury and said she needed a wheelchair, according to Laugero. But evidence presented in court told a different story.
“Brassart possessed a walking boot and crutches in the home,” Laugero said. “Video evidence was introduced at trial showing her walking and standing without the use of a wheelchair prior to the drowning.”
That footage included her driving and going to nail appointments just days before her daughter died.
To make matters worse, police at the scene also noticed signs that Brassart was drunk. Empty liquor bottles were found inside the house. A blood test later showed her blood alcohol level was 0.246%… more than three times the legal driving limit in California.
So where was her father?
Court records revealed more troubling details. The child’s father, Daniel Pires, was at work at the time but had reportedly asked Brassart not to drink while caring for their daughter. Brassart had also been ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
To add to all of this, prosecutors said Brassart was already on probation for child abuse when the drowning happened. In a separate incident, another child in her care had previously been hospitalized for nearly a week after swallowing medication.
Brassart is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 5. Rightfully so, she now faces 15 years to life in prison.