Florida Mom Charged In Decade-Old Death Of Young Daughter

BRADENTON, FL — Kelis Rucker might have been getting ready to start ninth grade had her life not ended when she was only 4 on Aug. 14, 2009. A decade later, her mother now stands accused of the child's murder.

Thirty-eight-year-old Dominique Brewer was taken into custody Monday after being re-interviewed about the case, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

"The mother, Dominique Brewer, was the only one in the house with the child and gave several inconsistent statements during initial interviews," the sheriff's office said. "She also admitted to drug use prior to the incident."

The sheriff's office said detectives canvased the neighborhood at the time of the child's death and obtained a warrant to search the residence. The cause of death was ruled asphyxiation at the time.

"During the investigation they also conducted a re-enactment of the incident," said the sheriff's office. "The mother gave no viable explanation as to injuries that the child received. At the conclusion of the initial investigation, Dominique Brewer was not arrested and the case was sent to the State Attorney’s Office."

Investigators took another look at the evidence two years ago leading up to the decision to bring charges earlier this month.

"Over the course of the next two weeks, more interviews were conducted along with a full review of the evidence and initial statements," the sheriff's office explained on Tuesday.

First responders found the child unresponsive when they initially arrived at the home in the 67oo block of 46th Avenue West around 6:34 p.m.

"Kelis Rucker was cold to the touch when units arrived," the sheriff's office said. "Despite life-saving efforts, she was later declared deceased at a local hospital."

Brewer was arrested by detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit of the sheriff's office.