Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 27-year-old Brianna Valenti of Grand Island pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class “B” felony. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

On September 10, 2018, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the defendant called 911 to report that her boyfriend’s child, 2-year-old Raelynn Fuller, was unresponsive. The toddler was taken by ambulance to Oishei Children’s Hospital where she remained in the intensive care unit she was taken off of life support on September 22, 2018.

The defendant recklessly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of serious physical injury by violently shaking Raelynn Fuller, which caused head trauma that resulted in her death.

Valenti faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when she is sentenced on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. She continues to remain held without bail. 

DA Flynn commends Detectives Matt Fuqua, Cully Ferrick, Jon Hanna, and Retired Detective Jack Graham of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief John P. Feroleto and Chief Lynette M. Reda of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau.