Mother pleads guilty in 2023 drowning, receives long concurrent prison terms

Jamie Michele Bradley Brun, age 40, pleaded guilty to murder in the 2023 drowning death of her six year old daughter Mackay Bradley Brun and also pleaded guilty to attempted murder for trying to drown the child’s eight year old sister. The Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office said prosecutors described the act as intentional and planned. Circuit Court Judge Marvin Dukes imposed concurrent prison terms, sentencing Bradley Brun to 50 years for murder and 30 years for attempted murder.

Investigators reported the incident occurred on May 19, 2023, and that the older sibling intervened, preventing further harm to the surviving child. Prosecutors pursued the case through the Fourteenth Circuit, which handles prosecutions in Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. The guilty pleas and sentencing were announced by the solicitor’s office on Thursday.

Local residents in Allendale County and neighboring jurisdictions are likely to feel the effects of the case beyond the courtroom. The severity of the sentences reflects prosecutorial emphasis on intentional harm to children and serves as a touchstone for public discussions about child welfare, family services and the responsibilities of social and healthcare systems. Law enforcement and social services in the region may use the case as a reference point in reviews of investigative procedures, cross county coordination and reporting practices for at risk children.

For families directly affected by the loss, the court resolution may not erase grief, but it concludes a lengthy criminal process that began in 2023. For the broader community the case is a reminder of the strains some households face and the role of local institutions in prevention and response.

The Fourteenth Circuit’s action brings a clear judicial outcome to a case that drew attention across the circuit. Sentencing by Judge Dukes marks the legal closure of this prosecution, even as community leaders and service providers continue to address the underlying issues of child protection and family support.