PA Mom Heard Voices, Saw Hallucinations Before Child's Death: Authorities​

HAVERTOWN, PA — The Havertown woman accused of leaving her child and dog in a vehicle to die had been acting strangely in the lead up to the untimely deaths, according to authorities.

The Maine Office of Attorney General released the full criminal affidavit filed for Kelly Brown, 40, of Havertown, shedding new light on the death of her 3-year-old daughter, Fiona, and the family's 13-year-old dog, Penelope.

According to the AG's office, Brown's mother, Kristin Sanders, told investigators that her daughter claimed to have seen "spirits" and shared "bizarre" postings online in the weeks before Aug. 9.

Authorities said Sanders relayed to investigators that Brown was posting "disturbing" videos on her social media page, and said Brown reported hearing voices of "shamans" and experiencing visual hallucinations.

These voices, Sanders said, told Brown what to do, according to court documents.

Other family members interviewed by authorities said they noticed changes in Brown's behaviors, noting she had become more spiritual and emotional, and was discussing Norse gods. They told authorities they believed Brown was not taking medication prescribed to treat her anxiety, the AG's office said.

Additionally, family members told investigators Brown had been performing "rituals" that included urinating on rocks in public spaces, according to authorities.

Brown's vehicle was found at a business in Milford, Maine at about 8:15 p.m. on Aug. 9 after Sanders reported Brown and Fiona missing at about 3:30 p.m. that day.

Fiona and Penelope were found dead in the vehicle, with Fiona face down in the driver's seat and Penelope resting her head on Fiona's food, authorities said.

Authorities said Fiona and Penelope were exposed to extreme heat while alone in the locked vehicle. Investigators noted the day's high temperature was 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

Brown, Fiona, and Penelope had been in Maine since late July and were staying with family members, and at a family summer home. The trio were supposed to return to Sanders' home on Aug. 7, but Brown told her they were camping along the Penobscot River, which they did until Aug. 9, authorities said.

Brown told investigators she noticed high amounts of trash while camping, and decided to clean up the littered areas, including around the business where her vehicle was found.

The morning of Aug. 9, Brown, Fiona, and Penelope parked at the business to clean up trash, and did so, leaving bags around the business.

Brown said she went to throw one of the bags in a dumpster at about 2 p.m., leaving Fiona and Penelope in the locked vehicle, and noticed trash has spilled out, some near an embankment leading to the river.

However, investigators said video footage of the business's parking lot showed Brown leaving the vehicle at 5:56 a.m. that day and did not show her returning to the vehicle.

Brown told authorities she lost her footing, fell into the river, and was swept away by the current. She managed to get out of the river on the opposite side under a bridge, the AG's office said, and realized she had to return to Fiona and Penelope.

Brown returned to the parking lot at about 8:30 p.m. and was met by law enforcement and EMS personnel. Authorities said, despite the presence of first responders, Brown did not inquire as to what was happening.

Those same first responders told Brown that Fiona and Penelope died in the vehicle, which led her to begin screaming in agony.

Authorities said Brown's clothing was dry, which she explained by saying it had been several hours since she was able to get out of the river. Authorities documented minor injuries on her body, that she said were incurred when she fell into the river and after being thrashed against rocks in the river.

Brown was taken to a hospital, where she was medically cleared, before being taken into custody on a manslaughter charge.

She remains in the Penobscot County Jail without bail.