Stowe man gets at least 21 years in prison for killing 2-year-old girl

Javonne Swinton read the letter she wrote to her daughter.

“How I miss you so much,” it began. “You are a soul so pure of love and happiness, it can heal broken hearts.”

Brielle Swinton, who would have turned 5 in February, was killed on Dec. 30, 2021, by her mother’s boyfriend.

A jury found Kyrell Morgan, 21, of Stowe guilty of third-degree murder and endangering the welfare of children on July 26 following a trial before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jill E. Rangos.

On Monday, Rangos ordered Morgan to serve 21½ to 43 years in prison, noting he has a history of violent crime dating back to age 13 in juvenile court.

“The behavior involved in this case, squishing to death a 2-year-old child, is extraordinary,” the judge said.

A criminal complaint filed in the case said Stowe police were called to a home on Woodward Avenue about 3:45 a.m. that morning for the report of a child not breathing.

Brielle was taken to UPMC Children’s Hospital, where she died a short time later.

Paramedics told police they noted a large bruise across the toddler’s abdomen, and an autopsy showed her liver had been lacerated.

Allegheny County Medical Examiner Dr. Karl Williams said it appeared as though someone had squeezed Brielle from behind, the complaint said. The girl’s death would have been slow, and Williams estimated the injury occurred 12 to 16 hours before she died.

The prosecution also presented evidence that Morgan did a Google search for “What all comes out in an autopsy.”

Morgan, who began living with Javonne Swinton in August 2021, had watched the girl that day while she was working. He told detectives that the toddler had been sick, and she vomited several times.

Javonne Swinton said her daughter had been acting normally when she got up for work that day.

During the sentencing hearing, Assistant District Attorney Lisa Carey reminded Rangos of a text message entered as evidence at trial. In it, Morgan told Javonne Swinton, “Brielle says I squish her.’ ”

She had been injured in the same way in November 2021, the prosecution said.

“This was a beautiful 2-year-old child who tried to tell (that) the defendant was hurting her,” Carey said. “She said in her own words he squished her, and that’s how he later murdered her. He literally squished this beautiful, innocent 2-year-old child to death.”

Morgan testified at trial and denied any involvement in Brielle’s death.

On Monday, he reiterated that testimony.

“I loved Brielle like she was my little sister,” Morgan said. “I wouldn’t do anything to put her in harm’s way or her brother or her mother. I’m innocent.”

Defense attorney Blaine Jones said he believes in his client’s case but respects the verdict. He is expected to file Morgan’s post-sentence motions but will then withdraw for the appointment of new counsel.

Several of Brielle’s relatives testified about the impact her death has had on their family, including her aunt and uncle, who were both at the hospital the day she was born.

Brielle’s uncle, Andre Swinton Jr., said he saw her at the hospital after she died, too.

“Seeing her in the hospital was traumatizing,” he said.

It’s an image that he relives when he goes to bed at night.

“For a long time, I wished it was me instead of her,” he said. “She didn’t even get to see 3 years old.”

Javonne Swinton told the judge that her life has changed forever. She said she gets through each day, using the memories of her daughter, therapy and knowing she has to continue on for her son, who is now 8.

In the letter she wrote to Brielle, Javonne Swinton said her daughter’s smile was so powerful, it showed how love truly feels.

“I can only imagine how smart, funny and loving you would be,” she said. “I will survive by your name.”

During the sentencing hearing, the prosecution also played for the court a recorded video call Morgan had made from Allegheny County Jail the day of the verdict.

In it, Morgan again denied that he killed Brielle, but also referenced the girl’s mother, saying, “She can go right up there with her daughter where she belong. … Somebody’s gonna get put right next to her.”