by Milford, ME – A Pennsylvania woman has been charged with manslaughter after her 3-year-old daughter and family dog were discovered dead inside her locked vehicle in Maine, while she claimed she had fallen into a nearby river.
The tragic incident unfolded on Aug. 9, 2025, when deputies with the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office located 40-year-old Kelly Brown’s vehicle in a Freshies convenience store parking lot in Milford. Inside, authorities found the child, identified as Fiona, unresponsive, along with the family’s 13-year-old dog, Penelope.
What Police Discovered
According to Maine State Police, officers discovered the disturbing scene after finding Brown “nearby.” The toddler was found face down on the driver’s side seat, with the dog’s head resting on her foot. Officials said both victims showed signs of prolonged exposure inside the closed vehicle.
Brown was arrested on the spot and booked into the Penobscot County Jail around 5 a.m. the next morning. On Aug. 11, she was formally charged with manslaughter during her appearance at the Penobscot Judicial Center.
Brown’s Explanation
In an affidavit obtained by Boston.com, Brown told investigators she had left her daughter and dog in the car around 2 a.m. to pick up trash nearby. She claimed she slipped into the Penobscot River and was “swept away,” fighting to stay above water before eventually returning.
Court records, however, show that Brown briefly returned to the car around 6 a.m. but did not come back again until 14 hours later, when police and emergency responders were already on the scene.
Contradictions in Her Story
Authorities noted inconsistencies in Brown’s explanation. Surveillance footage from the area allegedly contradicted her version of events, and police observed that her clothes were dry when she reappeared, despite her claims of falling into the river.
The affidavit stated: “Kelly Brown’s alternative explanation for abandoning her daughter and dog in the locked closed car on a hot August day contradicts the surveillance video and observations of the law enforcement officers when she appeared on the scene and was later interviewed.”
Family Concerns and Background
Brown had traveled to Maine from Pennsylvania with Fiona and Penelope on July 30 for an annual family trip. Relatives told authorities she had been acting erratically, posting “disturbing” videos online and claiming she was seeing spirits. Her mother reported that Brown had been “hallucinating” in the days leading up to the tragedy.
During interviews, Brown said she wanted to teach her daughter the importance of keeping nature clean. She insisted Fiona and the dog were alive when she last left them in the car.
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Medical Findings
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta ruled the child’s cause of death as heat exposure after being left inside the car for hours. Police did not find signs of other potential causes of death.
Legal Proceedings
At Brown’s initial court appearance, her bail was set at $50,000. Attorneys and the judge scheduled a follow-up hearing for Sept. 26, when the case will go before a grand jury.
If convicted of manslaughter, Brown faces a potential lengthy prison sentence under Maine law.
What’s your reaction to this heartbreaking case? Should laws on leaving children unattended in vehicles be stricter nationwide? Share your thoughts in the comments at ibwhsmag.com.
