Called dates while daughter died

California woman who called dates while daughter died found guilty of murder

By Katie Dowd

A Turlock woman has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the drowning death of her young daughter. Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, faces 15 years to life in prison for the crime. 

Turlock police received a 911 call from Brassart at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2025. Brassart told dispatchers her daughter, 2-year-old Danielle Pires, was floating in the pool of their home on the 4500 block of Fireside Drive. Despite the fact the girl was unresponsive in the pool, prosecutors said Brassart did nothing to try to rescue her. 

Turlock police officers pulled Danielle from the pool and attempted life-saving measures, but the toddler died. An investigation was launched immediately. “Empty and full liquor bottles were found hidden throughout” the home, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office said. Her blood alcohol content was .246%; in California, you can be charged with a DUI if your BAC is 0.08%. In addition, investigators learned Brassart had been on the phone for about 45 minutes while Danielle was unattended; Brassart was talking to men she met on dating apps, prosecutors said. 

The woman told police she couldn’t help her daughter because a leg injury had her confined to a wheelchair. But when the case went to trial, the jury saw video footage of Brassart driving, “walking and standing” and going to nail salons before her daughter’s death, the DA’s office said.

Prosecutors learned Brassart was already on probation for child abuse at the time of the drowning. Another child under Brassart’s care needed hospitalization for almost a week after consuming medicine.

Last week, a jury found Brassart guilty of second-degree murder and felony child neglect. She is due in court for sentencing on Feb. 5 and could receive up to life in prison for the convictions.