BY SABRA STAFFORD AND JOE CORTEZ
Turlock Journal
MODESTO — A Turlock woman faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder and felony child endangerment in the drowning death of her 2-year-old daughter.
Kelle Brassart, 44, was arraigned on the charges Tuesday by Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Kellee C. Westbrook.
Brassart entered a plea of not guilty and bail was set at $2 million; she remains in custody at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Facility.
“I was requesting no bail based on the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident,” said Stanislaus County Deputy District Attorney Sara Sousa, who is assigned to the special victims unit. “My biggest push was the fact that she was on probation. I stated, essentially, that she was a danger to the community.”
Officers responded to a 911 call at 3:28 p.m. on Sept. 12 in the 4500 block of Fireside Drive, where they found the child, identified as Daniellé Pires, unresponsive in the water. Police immediately began CPR, joined by fire and medical personnel, but the child was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
“This is incredibly tragic,” said Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and first responders who were impacted by this devastating loss.”
According to video footage, the child got into the pool at 3:08 p.m., and began attempting to tread water, according to Sousa. A dog began circling and barking at the child. At one point, the child — who would’ve turned 3 on Friday — was seen grabbing onto the side of the pool in the deep end, attempting to get out. At 3:18 p.m., the child was on her back and no longer moving. Fifteen minutes later, Turlock Police Officer Nick Gutierrez pulled her body out of the pool and immediately began life-saving efforts.
Detectives determined that Brassart, who was in a wheelchair, had been responsible for the child’s care at the time of the incident. Sousa also told the court that officers suspected Brassart was intoxicated, and noticed several prescription bottles around the residence.
California Highway Patrol Officer Matthew Haines, a drug recognition expert, was called to the scene to perform an evaluation.
At 6:41 p.m., three hours after the incident, Brassart registered a blood-alcohol level of .17, Sousa said. Three minutes later, she recorded a .16 — .08 is considered impaired.
Because Brassart was in a wheelchair, a modified sobriety test was administered at 7:18 p.m. In addition to alcohol, Haines determined she was on a central nervous stimulant, Sousa said.
Brassart told Detective Gina Giovacchini that she made eggs and noodles earlier in the day. Brassart was also observed moving from her wheelchair to the couch and from her wheelchair to the toilet, indicating she had some degree of mobility. It was noted that there was a fence near the pool that she might have been able to use for support.
Brassart pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child abuse in January 2023 (involving a different child), and was ordered to participate in 52 weeks of parenting courses and given a four-year probation term. She completed the courses in March of this year.
In May 2023, when Daniellé was seven months old, Brassart threw a drink tumbler at the child’s father while he was holding her, Sousa said. Brassart was required to participate in 20 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Giovacchini at 209-668-6539 or ggiovacchini@turlock.ca.us. Tips can also be submitted to the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at 209-668-5550 ext. 6780 or tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.
