Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Brianna Valenti of Grand Island has been arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on one count of Murder in the Second Degree and one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree. 

On September 10, 2018, at about 10:30 p.m., the Erie County Sheriff’s Office was notified about a suspected case of child abuse.

It is alleged that earlier that day, at approximately 4 p.m., the defendant called 911, claiming that 2-year-old Raelynn Fuller was unresponsive. The toddler was taken by ambulance to Oishei Children’s Hospital where she spent more than a week in the intensive care unit. She was taken off of life support on September 22, 2018.

The defendant, who was caring for the child at the time of the incident, is accused of shaking the toddler and causing head trauma that resulted in her death.

Valenti is scheduled to return on Friday, December 21 at 10 a.m. for a Huntley hearing. She remains held on $150,000 cash or bond.

If convicted on the highest charge, she faces 25 years to life in prison.

John P. Feroleto, Chief of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Anthony M. Rossi of the DA’s Special Victims Bureau are prosecuting the case.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.