TURLOCK, CA – A Stanislaus County mother faces a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of second-degree murder and child neglect in the drowning death of her 2-year-old daughter last September.
Prosecutors said Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, left her daughter, Daniellé Pires, unsupervised for about half an hour while she spoke on the phone with men she met via dating apps. During that time, the toddler wandered outside and climbed into a backyard swimming pool. Despite emergency efforts by Turlock police and paramedics, the child died just days before her third birthday.
Officers responded around 3:30 p.m. on September 12 to the family’s home in southeast Turlock after receiving a 911 call reporting an unresponsive child in a pool. Upon arrival, first responders pulled the young girl from the water and initiated CPR before rushing her to the hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Authorities determined Brassart had remained in the master bedroom during the incident and never attempted to enter the pool to rescue her daughter. She later claimed physical limitations from a leg injury prevented her from saving the child, but surveillance video revealed she was able to walk around the house unaided. Police said the mother also had access to a walking boot and crutches and was observed driving and attending appointments in the weeks before the incident.
Investigators noted that Brassart appeared intoxicated when police arrived at the scene. Officers discovered numerous bottles of alcohol scattered throughout the home, and tests showed Brassart’s blood alcohol concentration measured three times the legal limit for driving. Relatives had previously warned her not to drink while caring for her youngest child.
According to court testimony, Brassart had instructed Daniellé to open the door and let the family’s dogs outside. The toddler followed the pets into the backyard and was left unsupervised for at least 30 minutes while Brassart continued phone conversations in her bedroom. Security cameras captured the child struggling in the water before she drowned.
During trial proceedings, the prosecution highlighted Brassart’s history of child neglect, noting that another of her six children had previously been hospitalized for nearly a week after ingesting medication. After that incident, Brassart completed a parenting class covering the risks of leaving young children unattended.
Brassart’s defense maintained that the tragedy was an accident, arguing that she believed her daughter had remained indoors. However, prosecutors contended Brassart’s actions showed clear disregard for her daughter’s safety, emphasizing her intoxication and decision to prioritize personal phone calls over supervising the young child.
Sentencing in the case is scheduled for February 5. Brassart faces a minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison following her conviction on the murder and child neglect charges.
