Mother in California Found Guilty of Murder After 2-Year-Old Daughter Drowns

A 45-year-old Northern California woman faces 15 years to life in prison after being convicted in the drowning death of her 2-year-old daughter, authorities announced last week.

The incident occurred on Sept. 12 around 3:30 p.m. at a home on the 4500 block of Fireside Drive in Turlock, about 15 miles from Modesto, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office.

Turlock Police Department officers responded after Kelle Anne Brassart called 911 to report that her daughter, Danielle Pires, was floating in the pool. Officers pulled the child’s lifeless body from the water and attempted life-saving measures, but the toddler was declared dead.

Investigators noted that Brassart showed signs of impairment when contacted. Detectives immediately launched an investigation into the death.

They discovered empty and full liquor bottles hidden throughout the home and learned that Danielle’s father had told Brassart she could not drink while caring for their daughter, who required constant supervision.

Home security cameras captured Danielle unattended in the backyard for an extended period before entering the pool and drowning. During that time, Brassart, with a blood alcohol level of .246%, remained in the home’s primary bedroom for 45 minutes, communicating with men she had met on dating apps.

Authorities said Brassart made no attempt to rescue her daughter, claiming a recent leg injury confined her to a wheelchair. During the trial, video evidence showed she was walking and standing without a wheelchair before the drowning. Prosecutors noted she had crutches and a walking boot in the home.

“Evidence showed Brassart had been advised in parenting classes about the dangers of leaving a child unsupervised, as toddlers cannot understand risk,” the release stated. The jury also heard about a previous incident where one of her other children was left unsupervised, resulting in nearly a week-long hospitalization after ingesting medication.

Brassart was convicted of second-degree murder and felony child neglect, with a special allegation that she was on probation for child abuse at the time of Danielle’s death.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 5.