Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 27-year-old Brianna Valenti of Grand Island has been sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to a determinate sentence of 10 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On September 10, 2018, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the defendant called 911 to report that her boyfriend’s child, 2-year-old Raelynn Fuller, was unresponsive. The toddler was taken by ambulance to Oishei Children’s Hospital. The victim remained in the intensive care unit until she was taken off life support on September 22, 2018.

The defendant recklessly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of serious physical injury by violently shaking Raelynn Fuller, which caused head trauma that resulted in her death.

Valenti pleaded guilty to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class “B” violent felony, on August 26, 2019. She pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

DA Flynn commends Detectives Matt Fuqua, Cully Ferrick, Jon Hanna, and Retired Detective Jack Graham of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief John P. Feroleto and Chief Lynette M. Reda of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau.