Family of Annie Shell Disappointed Following Benjamin Brown Verdict

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – “I don’t understand what the jury was thinking,” says Annie Shell’s father David Shell.

A jury took two days to decide Benjamin Brown of Soddy-Daisy is guilty of criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment in the 2018 death of two-year-old Annie Shell. He was initially charged with felony murder and aggravated child abuse. The jury’s verdict was disappointing to Annie’s family.

“I Hope to God that they don’t watch it within the next few years with another death, another kid killed or something like that knowing they let him off this time,” says Shell.

Brown was the boyfriend of Annie’s babysitter Brandi Giannunzio at the time of her death. She was accused of making false reports and accessory after the fact after telling authorities Annie died from falling after a seizure. Doctors treating Annie said it was evident she died from trauma.

“His lawyer put doubt everywhere. He tried to blame me. He tried to blame the other babysitter. He tried to blame anybody he could. He blamed Erlange. He even tried to say there was a malpractice lawsuit against Erlanger here.”

A public defender says the sentence holds a maximum of two years. Probation is possible immediately.

“He hit her and there’s no way that she fell and got two head injuries and two chest injuries. There’s now way she fell and hurt herself four times. There’s no way.”

Brown will be sentenced on April 27th. Until then, he is free.