St. Helena Mother Sentenced Fifty Years in Daughter Drowning
A St. Helena Island woman pleaded guilty and received concurrent prison terms after the drowning death of her six year old daughter and an attempted drowning of her eight year old daughter. The case, tied to a May 19, 2023 incident, drew investigators to conclude the acts were intentional, raising concerns across Allendale County about child safety and family support.
Jamie Michele Bradley Brun, 40, of St. Helena Island was sentenced on December 18, 2025 after pleading guilty to murder in the death of her six year old daughter, Mackay Bradley Brun, and to attempted murder for trying to drown her eight year old daughter. A judge imposed a 50 year sentence for the murder count and a 30 year sentence for the attempted murder count, to be served concurrently.
Deputy Solicitor Mary Jones said investigators determined the drowning was intentional and planned. Court records and prosecutor statements describe the incident as occurring on May 19, 2023, when officers responded to a water related emergency. Prosecutors credited the oldest daughter with intervening and saving the eight year old, actions that prevented further loss of life.
The case was handled within the Fourteenth Circuit, which includes Allendale County among other counties in the region. The circuit solicitor and deputies carried the prosecution through guilty pleas and sentencing, citing the investigative findings and the gravity of the crimes when recommending the term length. The concurrent sentences mean the defendant will serve the longer of the two terms at the same time as the shorter term.
For Allendale County residents, the case is a stark reminder of the challenges families and child welfare systems can face. Neighbors and local officials expressed shock at the details of an incident that unfolded in the Lowcountry community. The intervention by a sibling underscored both the tragedy and the resilience within affected families, while prompting local social services and law enforcement partners to review protocols for identifying and responding to at risk children.
Beyond immediate emotional impact, the case carries implications for county agencies that provide family support, mental health services, and child protection. Local leaders may revisit outreach and prevention efforts to better detect signs of planned harm and to provide resources for families under stress. As the defendant begins serving the sentence ordered by the court, community discussions in Allendale County are likely to continue about how to prevent similar tragedies and how to support survivors and at risk children in the region.
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