A child died in the hands of her mother and stepfather and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services knew about the abuse.
A new book reveals what happened to two-year-old Kelsey Briggs who died in 2005 in Meeker, Oklahoma. Her mother now wants a new trial after being convicted of child abuse and sentenced to 27-years in prison.
The stepfather, Michael Porter, pleaded guilty and will spend 30 years in prison.
FOX23’s Abbie Alford spoke with authors former TV anchor Cherokee Ballard and FOX25’s in Oklahoma City Britten Follett on writing “Who Killed Kelsey?”
"The system failed Kelsey," says Follett.
The book gives heartbreaking details about Kelsey’s months possibly years of abuse by her mother Raye Dawn Smith and stepfather Michael Porter.
It’s too painful for Kelsey’s biological father Lance Briggs to read.
"Reliving the injuries for her, not being able to comprehend how terrified or scared she was and the pain she went through, reading about it just kills me, it tears me up,” says Briggs.
A broken collarbone, DHS concluded Kelsey’s mother was responsible.
“She was failed she should not be dead. She should not be dead. It's shameful, this case is shameful," says Ballard.
A judge let Kelsey return to her mother and the abuse didn’t stop.
Kelsey had a sprained ankle and two broken legs. The book says Kelsey told a family member it was “Daddy Mike” who pushed her off the bed.
A judge let Kelsey return to her mother and the abuse didn't stop.
"She abused Kelsey and my family was fighting for her safety and her well being and no one was listening, no one was listening until she was dead and it was too late," says Briggs.
Her father was in Iraq fighting for our country while his mother and family were fighting for the little girl.
"Kelsey's story epitomizes the levels of failure on behalf of child welfare systems across the country," says Follett.
About an hour before Kelsey took a blow so hard to the stomach she died, her caseworker had left the house.
Authorities say only her mother and stepfather were the only people home at the time of Kelsey’s non-accidental injuries.
"Kids continue to die who are in custody of the state. I don't know what the answer is,” says Ballard. “Because of Kelsey some other child's life will be spared."
Her death highlighting a problem that’s not going away.
"If one case worker or one parent or one teacher takes that bruise more seriously maybe we can prevent another child from suffering the same horrible death at the hands of Michael Porter or Raye Dawn Smith,” says Follett.
Now a child is gone but Kelsey’s father says he’ll continue to fight to help save other children from abuse.
"Kelsey should not be dead. People should have listened. I am hoping her story will spare children in the future," says Briggs.
Since Kelsey’s death in October 2005, “Kelsey’s Law” was enacted. It boosts the power of DHS as well as other state agencies and judges to intervene on behalf of children in abusive homes. The law also makes judges accountable for their rulings in child placement cases.
Smith will be asking a judge on September 1st for a new trial. If granted she could be freed from prison.
Porter made a plea deal so he does not have the right for an appeal.
Both are required to serve at least 85% of their sentence.
Ballard and Tollet will be in Tulsa on Saturday for a booking signing at Steve's Sundry bookstore at 2612 S. Harvard Avenue from 1pm to 3pm.
A portion of the profits will benefit the Kelsey Briggs Foundation that her grandmother started to help prevent future child abuse.
