A Maine mother has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of her toddler and aggravated animal cruelty for the death of her dog, both found deceased in a hot car on August 9, 2025. Kelly Brown, 41, admitted to the charges on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the Maine Attorney General's Office.
Fiona, Brown's baby daughter, and Penelope, the family's 13-year-old dog, were discovered inside an SUV with its windows rolled up and doors locked outside the Freshies convenience store in Milford, Maine. Deputies with the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office found the pair after Brown had been detained nearby.
Brown told authorities that she had been camping near the Penobscot River and was swept away while disposing of trash. However, investigators noted that she was dry at the time of her detention. Surveillance video cited in court documents indicated that Brown had left the child and dog in the vehicle for hours before their discovery.
The temperature in Milford reached 82 degrees Fahrenheit on the day of the incident. An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on August 11, 2025, determined that hyperthermia was the most likely cause of Fiona's death.
Maine State Police and the Major Crimes Unit North assisted in the investigation. Records also revealed that Brown and her child had been the subject of a prior welfare check request by concerned family members due to unusual social media posts. Brown was reportedly visiting family in the area at the time of the incident.
As part of a plea agreement, Brown faces a prison sentence of 20 to 25 years. Her sentencing is anticipated in November. The plea agreement aims for the dismissal of a potential murder charge.