RANTOUL, IL (Chambana Today) – In a heartbreaking case out of Rantoul, a 54-year-old woman has been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to child endangerment resulting in death. Rachelle Brown was initially facing charges of both child endangerment and involuntary manslaughter, but as part of a negotiated plea deal, the manslaughter charge was dropped, and she pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of child endangerment.
The charges stem from the tragic death of Brown’s grandchild on June 28, 2023. According to State’s Attorney Julia Rietz, Brown placed the child in a bathtub and left the water running while she stepped away to smoke marijuana. Brown stated she was gone for just five minutes, but another person who was with her at the time said she had been away for about 30 minutes, during which they smoked and drank together. Public Defender Elisabeth Pollock mentioned that evidence supported Brown’s claim about the time frame.
Regardless of the exact length of time, Brown returned to find her grandchild face down in the tub. Police responded, and the child was still alive when they arrived, but unfortunately, the child later died.
Brown was charged in August 2024 in connection with the death, and after months of pre-trial proceedings, she ultimately entered a guilty plea earlier this month. This is her first conviction. As part of her 30-month probation, Brown will undergo an evaluation for alcohol and drug abuse and must follow any treatment recommendations she receives.