Talecka C. Brown, 34, was sentenced Friday to serve 50 years behind bars for the September 2024 shooting of her then-13-year-old daughter at their home in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, court records show.
Background
The shooting occurred on Sept. 23, 2024, at the family's residence in Seat Pleasant, an unincorporated city in Prince George's County located directly east of Washington, D.C. During an argument that day, Brown shot her daughter in the back of the neck, prosecutors said. The girl survived but sustained serious injuries requiring hospitalization.
Brown called 911 following the shooting and initially told authorities that a homeless person had shot the child. Prosecutors alleged she also instructed her daughter to tell investigators that someone had broken into their home and fired the weapon.
According to court filings, during the subsequent investigation, Brown showed no concern for her daughter's condition despite the girl being in what officials described as "screeching pain."
The Charges
Brown was convicted in October of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse, first-degree assault, and using a firearm as a felon to commit a violent crime. She faced up to life in prison on the attempted first-degree murder charge alone.
The jury failed to reach verdicts on additional charges including second-degree attempted murder, second-degree child abuse, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.
Prosecutors revealed that after her arrest, Brown called her daughter's father from jail and left a voicemail attempting to coordinate testimony. "Attempted first-degree murder — come on, that's not me," she reportedly said in the message, while suggesting the case "will go away" if the girl simply refused to cooperate with authorities or appear for court proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Brown shot her 13-year-old daughter in the neck during a domestic argument at their Seat Pleasant, Maryland home on Sept. 23, 2024
- She initially told police a homeless person was responsible and instructed her daughter to corroborate a fabricated break-in story
- After being arrested, she attempted to influence witnesses from jail by suggesting the case would "go away" if the victim stayed silent
- A Prince George's County jury convicted Brown of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse, assault, and related firearm charges
- She was sentenced to 50 years incarceration on Friday
What's Next
Brown will begin serving her sentence in a Maryland correctional facility. The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence and child abuse, particularly when parents are the perpetrators against their own children.
Investigators noted that the investigation was complicated by Brown's attempts to obstruct justice, though authorities were ultimately able to piece together the true sequence of events leading to charges.