Drunk Mother Guilty in Child Drowning Death, Faces Life Sentence

A California woman was convicted this week of murdering her 2-year-old daughter after prosecutors said the child drowned in a backyard swimming pool while her mother was intoxicated and spending time on dating apps instead of supervising her, as reported by The New York Post.

Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree murder and felony child endangerment in the death of her daughter, Daniellé Pires, according to a statement from the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. The incident occurred at the family’s home in Turlock.

Brassart called 911 at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 and reported that her daughter was floating in the swimming pool and unresponsive, prosecutors said.

⚠️ WARNING: This post contains descriptions of child endangerment and a fatal drowning.

A 45-year-old California woman, Kelle Anne Brassart, was convicted of second-degree murder and felony child endangerment on Tuesday following the tragic drowning of her 2-year-old daughter,… pic.twitter.com/bgwBpRk7lk

— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) January 12, 2026

First responders arrived at the scene, pulled the toddler from the water, and attempted life-saving measures, but Daniellé could not be revived.

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Surveillance footage reviewed during the investigation showed that the child had been left outside alone for an extended period before falling into the pool.

Authorities said the footage prompted an immediate criminal investigation.

According to Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero, investigators determined that after calling 911, Brassart “remained in the home and never attempted to rescue Daniellé.”

Prosecutors said Brassart spent approximately 45 minutes on her phone talking with men she had met through dating apps while her daughter was left unattended near the pool.

Brassart told investigators she was unable to reach her daughter because of a leg injury and claimed she required a wheelchair, Laugero said. However, evidence introduced at trial contradicted that claim.

“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.”

Prosecutors also presented footage showing Brassart driving and attending nail appointments in the days leading up to the incident.

Investigators testified that officers at the scene observed signs of impairment, and empty liquor bottles were found inside the home.

A subsequent blood alcohol test showed Brassart’s blood alcohol concentration measured 0.246% at the time of the incident, more than three times California’s legal limit for driving.

The child’s father, Daniel Pires, was at work at the time of the drowning. According to the Turlock Journal, Pires had previously asked Brassart not to consume alcohol while caring for their daughter.

Court records also showed that Brassart had been ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Sara Sousa told the court that Brassart knowingly placed her child at risk. “This is a case where the defendant knew, and she didn’t care,” Sousa said during the trial.

“She didn’t care that her daughter was at risk; she didn’t care that she wasn’t watching her, because all she wanted to do was be selfish and get drunk.”

Prosecutors further revealed that Brassart was on probation for child abuse at the time of the drowning. According to SFGate, another child previously under her care had been hospitalized for nearly a week after ingesting medication.

Following the verdict, Sousa again addressed Brassart’s conduct.

“She not only failed in her duty to care for her child, but she did it in a way that was so reckless and indifferent to human life that her conduct amounted to second-degree murder,” Sousa said.

Brassart is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 5. She faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.

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