Published: 21:46 BST, 1 September 2026 | Updated: 21:46 BST, 1 September 2026
A mom in Maine pleaded guilty to manslaughter after leaving her toddler and dog to die in a hot car, then claiming she had been swept away by a river.
Kelly Brown, 41, admitted manslaughter of a family or household member on Friday in connection with the death of her baby girl, Fiona, a spokesperson for the Maine Attorney General's Office told WMTW.
The mother from Pennsylvania also pleaded guilty to aggravated animal cruelty after officials also found Penelope, the family's 13-year-old dog.
Fiona and Penelope were found on August 9, 2025, in a car parked outside the Freshies convenience store in Milford, Maine, by deputies with the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office, according to the outlet.
The little girl and dog were found dead inside the SUV, which had its windows rolled up and was locked, according to the outlet.
Brown was located nearby and detained by officials who said she told them that they had been camping near the Penobscot River.
The mother allegedly also told officers that, as she was throwing away trash, she was swept away.
However, officers noted that she was completely dry, according to the outlet.
Kelly Brown pleaded guilty to manslaughter of a family or household member on Friday in connection with the death of her baby girl, Fiona.
The 41-year-old-mother from Pennsylvania also pleaded guilty to aggravated animal cruelty after officials also found Penelope, the family's 13-year-old dog
Fiona and Penelope were found on August 9, 2025, in a car parked outside the Freshies convenience store in Milford, Maine
According to court documents cited by WMTW, surveillance video showed Brown left the little girl and dog in the SUV hours before they were discovered.
After officials found the victims, Maine State Police and Major Crimes Unit North assisted with the investigation.
The day of the incident, temperatures in Milford reached a high of 82 degrees F, according to the criminal complaint.
