Kelsey's Story
Kelsey's First Year
Kelsey Shelton Smith was born on December 28, 2002 to Raye Dawn Smith. She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at 10:00 p.m. She weighed 7 pounds and was 19 inches long. She had dark hair that later turned to blonde.
When Kelsey was a few months old, a paternity test revealed that Lance Briggs was her father. Kelsey's name was changed to 'Kelsey Shelton Smith-Briggs'.
Kelsey continued to live with her mother in Meeker, Oklahoma, but she often visited with her paternal side of the family-- these people mostly being her father, her step-mother, her Grandma Briggs, and her Grandpa Briggs.
Kelsey continued to live with her mother in Meeker, Oklahoma, but she often visited with her paternal side of the family-- these people mostly being her father, her step-mother, her Grandma Briggs, and her Grandpa Briggs.
For the most part, Kelsey's first year of life was uneventful.
Kelsey's Second and Last Year
Starting in January 2005, Kelsey began to show signs of abuse. At this point, she still lived with her mother, and got to see her paternal family. She now also had a step-father named Michael Porter, whom she referred to as 'Daddy Mike'. Her injuries included a broken collarbone, broken legs, and multiple bruises and scrapes on her face and body. On January 17, 2005, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services first confirmed abuse against Kelsey's mother after Kelsey had been taken to the emergancy room because of a broken collarbone, and bruises on Kelsey's lower back, buttocks, and thighs.
In April of 2005, both of Kelsey's legs were broken. Medical examiners concluded that these were spinal fractures in different stages of healing, and were definantly the result of abuse.
In April of 2005, both of Kelsey's legs were broken. Medical examiners concluded that these were spinal fractures in different stages of healing, and were definantly the result of abuse.
After this incident, Kelsey was taken into the State's custody. By the end of her life, Kelsey had been bounced back and forth staying with so many different people. Finally, she ended up back with her mother and step-father.
On October 11, 2005, Kelsey's father was about to come home from fighting for his country in Iraq. Kelsey had been put down for a nap by her mother. Raye Dawn then left to go pick up her seven year old step-daughter, leaving Kelsey in the care of her husband, Michael Porter.
By the time Raye Dawn Smith came home, the ambulances were already there. She learned that her daughter had been taken to the hospital. Kelsey died shortly after getting to the hospital. Her cause of death was classified as blunt force trauma to the abdomen, meaning that someone had to have hit or kicked her so hard in the stomach, it literally killed her.
Kelsey's father learned this over the phone just as his plane landed in Georgia. He had been excited to come home and see his little girl. He had even bought her a stuffed camel. Instead of giving her the gift he had got for her, he had to organize a funeral for her.
Kelsey had two funerals. One for the Smith family and one for the Briggs family. Her step-father, Michael Porter was charged with first degree murder. Later, he pleaded guilty to enabling child abuse.
Raye Dawn Smith was sentenced to 27 years in prison for enabling child abuse.
Later, child pornography was found on Michael Porter's computer. Kelsey's body was exhumed and evidence of sexual abuse was also found. Sexual Assault was added to Michael Porter's charge. Michael Porter was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
On October 11, 2005, Kelsey's father was about to come home from fighting for his country in Iraq. Kelsey had been put down for a nap by her mother. Raye Dawn then left to go pick up her seven year old step-daughter, leaving Kelsey in the care of her husband, Michael Porter.
By the time Raye Dawn Smith came home, the ambulances were already there. She learned that her daughter had been taken to the hospital. Kelsey died shortly after getting to the hospital. Her cause of death was classified as blunt force trauma to the abdomen, meaning that someone had to have hit or kicked her so hard in the stomach, it literally killed her.
Kelsey's father learned this over the phone just as his plane landed in Georgia. He had been excited to come home and see his little girl. He had even bought her a stuffed camel. Instead of giving her the gift he had got for her, he had to organize a funeral for her.
Kelsey had two funerals. One for the Smith family and one for the Briggs family. Her step-father, Michael Porter was charged with first degree murder. Later, he pleaded guilty to enabling child abuse.
Raye Dawn Smith was sentenced to 27 years in prison for enabling child abuse.
Later, child pornography was found on Michael Porter's computer. Kelsey's body was exhumed and evidence of sexual abuse was also found. Sexual Assault was added to Michael Porter's charge. Michael Porter was sentenced to 30 years in prison.