Kelly Brown, 40, from Pennsylvania, has been charged with manslaughter after her 3-year-old daughter and a dog were found dead inside her locked vehicle in Milford, Maine. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office (PSCO) discovered the vehicle outside a local business on the evening of August 9. Inside, they found Brown’s daughter, Fiona, deceased. The mother was later located nearby.
The Mother’s Alleged Story
According to Brown, she left her daughter and the dog inside the car while she went to pick up trash in the area. She claimed to have fallen into the Penobscot River and was “swept away.” However, authorities assert that Brown’s story doesn’t add up, and she was arrested by Maine State Police (MSP) later that night. Brown was formally charged with manslaughter during her court appearance on August 11.
Timeline and Investigation
Court documents reveal that Brown left her daughter and the dog in the vehicle around 2 a.m. on August 9 at the Milford Freshies parking lot. She briefly returned around 6 a.m. but did not return again until 14 hours later when police and EMS arrived. According to Brown, she had been “fighting to stay above water” after falling into the river, but investigators found no evidence to support her claim.
Family Concerns and Health Issues
Brown, her daughter, and their dog had been on a trip from Pennsylvania to visit family in Maine. According to Brown’s mother, she had been acting strangely and posting disturbing videos on social media since late July. Brown’s family had reportedly expressed concerns over her mental health before the incident, mentioning that she had been “hallucinating” and seeing “spirits.”
The Discovery of the Victims
When police found the vehicle, they found Fiona’s body lying face down on the driver’s side seat, with the dog, Penelope, resting its head on the child’s foot. Authorities believe the dog and the child were both left in the car for an extended period before being found.
Ongoing Investigation
Brown remains in custody at the Penobscot County Jail, with her next court appearance pending. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the details of the tragic incident.
