Ft. Stewart married couple indicted for starving child to death

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A husband and wife in Fort Stewart have been indicted by a federal grand jury for murdering their child by depriving her of adequate nourishment and medical care, according to a press release from the US Department of Justice.

On August 8, 2025, a federal court unsealed a federal indictment charging 29-year-old Brandon M. Kelley and 26-year-old Stacey D. Kelley of Ft. Stewart, GA, with several charges relating to the unlawful death of their daughter, Vyolet Kelley.

The federal grand jury indicted them for Felony Murder and two counts of Second Degree Murder, all counts alleging that the child died because she was deprived of adequate nourishment and medical care while living at Fort Stewart Military Reservation, the release states.

The family lived at Fort Stewart because Brandon Kelley was an enlisted soldier during the time outlined in the indictment, according to the Department of Justice.

“The allegations in this case are heartbreaking on many levels. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue justice,” said Acting United States Attorney Tara M. Lyons.

The case was investigated by the United States Army Criminal Investigative Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy P. Dean and E. Greg Gilluly, Jr.

Upon conviction, the Kelleys face potential penalties up to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

NOTE: An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.