Meeker, Oklahoma-
(An Innocent Lost,Thanks to DHS)
Kelsey, born December 28, 2002 -this precious little angel died tragically on October 11, 2005 in her home. The state doctor performed the first autopsy said Kelsey died from blunt force trauma to her abdomen and more than one impact.
Kelsey suffered bruises on her stomach,face,chest,thighs,legs, and her right hand. She had abbrasions on her back and a tissue tear in the inside of her mouth. There was bruising to the back of her head. She was literally beaten to death the DA said.
The prosecutor said “her death was the final chapter in a series of physical injuries and abuse.” Previously this baby had endured:
- A broken collarbone
- 2 broken legs
- Several bruises and other injuries from abuse
Her mother Raye Dawn Smith was arrested and charged in connection with her death, as was her mother’s husband Michael Lee Porter. Prosecutors said that Smith either abused the girl or was sitting back allowing the abuse to be carried out by Porter. Kelsey’s stepfather was initially charged with her murder and child sexual abuse and pleaded down to enabling abuse. According to him the child’s mother was the abuser. My the fingerpointing that goes on! Well, he got served a 30-year-prison sentence and this past July 2007, the mother went on trial. She was found (guilty) by a jury and sentenced to 27 years.
That’s a long time to think about what she did and allowed her ex-husband to do to little Kelsey.
To read more about Kelsey’s case see:
Kelsey’s Purpose– (Wonderful website, created by her Grandmother. Please visit to see how she is keeping Kelsey’s memory alive by helping other children).
UNsafe at Home 
December 13 ,2007 at 5:38 am
People who abuse and rape others should get more than 30 years. especially if the person kills the child or adult. 30 years and maybe a chance for poral is a slap on the hand. why do you think we have people getting out of jail and repeating the same crimes? They know what the punishment is so they are not scared. People like this need to go through some of the pain that they put others through and see how they would like to be kicked or hit to death. Sometimes I think the court is in favor of the criminals not the victuims.
August 28 ,2009 at 10:29 am
That video I just watched was so sad, I cant beleive someone would do something like.. I feel for the family that actually loved her.. I have a 2 yr old and a 6mth old and would go crazy if someone hurt them like that.. I live in michigan and would love to meet that stepfather and mother when they get out and beat the shit out of them.. Im dedicated to that and will find out when there released..
September 1 ,2009 at 9:30 pm
Hi Matthew. I did a Google search on Porter; that fucking piece of shit is on Facebook but has his Profile turned off… . And in cases if abuse, the child gravitates toward the abuser, not away as one would suspect. The child does everything to please the abusive parent..or parents in this case.
February 4 ,2015 at 6:18 pm
That story breaks my heart into pieces but at the same what a beautiful baby girl. Her dad is off fighting for our freedom and that PUNK no fighting b*#ch Porter repays him by this. Man I’m a God loving man and I’m probably wrong in this but Micheal Porter if I ever see you I will hurt you bad bad bad. Trust me you don’t stand a chance. To the family I think the video is very touching and a great tribute to a beautiful little girl. Thank you for sharing.
June 12 ,2010 at 2:37 pm
I think you’re right how could he only get 30 years. He should have gotten the death penalty. I hope they are punishing him in prison everyday like he did to that poor little baby.
December 16 ,2007 at 12:18 pm
I completely agree with you, anyone who rapes and abuses (IMO especially children) should get a life sentence because that is what these poor children like Kelsey got: Her life was taken from her by the evilness of people who were supposed to love and protect her.
Until the judicial system gets serious about these sentences, we unfortunately will see more and more of these crimes. It does seem as though the system is all about protecting the abusers rather than the victims and that just makes me so mad.
September 2 ,2009 at 12:48 pm
SEP 1/09
By The Canadian Press
ADVERTISEMENT
A 19-year-old woman has been charged with attempted murder after a 14-month-old baby was beaten in a Winnipeg street.
City police say Nikita Solange Eaglestick has also been charged with abduction and aggravated assault. Constable Jason Michalyshen says police are scratching their heads over why the baby was attacked.
Police say there was a party in the area and drinking was involved.
A witness saw a woman beating a baby’s head against the sidewalk early Tuesday morning and interrupted the attack.
Police were called and took the suspect into custody a few blocks away.
January 11 ,2008 at 8:54 pm
that pour little baby im 10 and i heard of a lot of cases but this ones horribal i hope michal lee porter and raye dawn smith roght in hell
January 14 ,2008 at 10:39 am
This case made so many people angry and made more cry for little Kelsey because it seems like the child protection agency would not listen to her grandmother who suspected Kelsey was being abused, documented things, took pictures and everything and they chose not to listen. They needed to realize that this baby was in real danger but they didn’t until it was too late.
After learning about this case, I could really understand how some grandparents take the grandchildren and run, to keep those kids safe when the law refuses listen to them about abuse they have seen or the child has disclosed.
January 20 ,2008 at 11:21 pm
hi, i read and watched some vidios yesterday on utube and i cant get that prshus lil baby off my mind i have a friend and when she was lil she was beat by her crack head mom so im sorry for all the peole hurt by her pass away at least she is in a betterplace know
February 16 ,2008 at 4:42 am
hi i’ve heard alot of stories of children missing and beated, this is the worst ever. i hope michel lee porter loves it in hell and also raye dawn smith for doing nothing about her kid(kelesy). i know kelesy would have been a wonderful little girl
February 16 ,2008 at 11:31 am
In a world ruled by mens nothing will be intelligent
February 20 ,2008 at 5:14 am
Hi,
Kelsie didn’t die in vain, Please see the the site:
heavens-gates.com/kelseybriggs/
Read and learn about how her grandmother and others worked tirelessly (and still are) to bring awareness and law/legal changes to child abuse in their homestate (Oklahoma) and nationally.
February 28 ,2008 at 8:58 am
My sweet little Kelsey, I miss you sooo much, i remember all the memories we shared, like at the last Christmas Party you were at, we both won a game of Limbo, and how we danced to “Here Comes the Sun” and “Octopus’s Garden” by the Beatles on Christmas morning, 2004! I love we both share December Birthdays, although were 5 days apart, I love it. I remember the last time I saw you, October 2, 2005, just days away from you going to heaven, but I know where you are, you are most happy, no more suffering for you my little Cousin!! Wait for me in Heaven, I miss you lots!! Love, Your Cousin, ******.
March 1 ,2008 at 8:32 am
I’m sorry that you lost such a sweet little girl and close cousin like Kelsey. I know she is a beautiful angel smiling down on you and your family and she doesn’t hurt any longer and isn’t scared. I hope to honor her memory by including her here, and that you and all of her family members and friends can try to remember the good times you shared with her while she was still here.
March 12 ,2008 at 5:14 am
i am so sory about kelsey briggs i don’t know how her own mother could allow for this to happen, i am sure kelsey is smiling on us from abovex
March 26 ,2008 at 4:15 pm
they shd hv death penalty for sexually abusing and raping, esp young children. how cld they do such thing! kelsey was so loving and cute, and beautiful, and her mother deserved it for not protecting kelsey!
April 18 ,2008 at 2:51 pm
All i could do is cry for her……made me feel so helpless and angry. Why can these monsters still live to do so much damage?
As a mum i would lay my own life down before my child i can not except that kelsey’s mother allowed this to happen and not stop it…..she is to blame.
Why couldn’t the court just take her away from this hell….they have blood on ther hands too!
And as for that poor excuse of a human being michael porter…..he’s nothing in this world…..he shouldn’t be aloud to exsist and same goes for the rest of those detestable lot…………burn.
No child should suffer!
April 22 ,2008 at 5:36 am
this stupid asshole better not hurt one more kid or ill kick his ass
April 22 ,2008 at 5:37 am
ok lets get 1 more thing stright he didnt have to hurt her anyway
April 26 ,2008 at 7:19 am
oh my gosh i’m soo sorry this had to happen to that poor girl
i hope micheal and kelsey’s mom burn in hell…i’m soo sorry for your family
and to kelsey’s dad i am soo sorry this had to happen to your little girl i wish i could change it some how i don’t even know yall and i am sooo completely sorry that it happened to you i know there is no way to just let it go and move on but i still am so sorry i hope yall can remember kelsey as the great little girl that she is i wish you the best and i am sooo completely sorry i wish it hadnt happened to that beautiful little girl….
May 2 ,2008 at 10:34 pm
sorry for your loss
i was also beatin i felt her pain like it was my own
love,
michaelbowen
May 2 ,2008 at 10:38 pm
hi my name is karleigh vargas and i am so sorry for your loss i was also betin when i was little but i was lucky enough to get away and after reading this little girls story i have relized how lucky we were and i wish i could take her spot just so you can have your granddaughter back im so so so so sorry you know after reading this story it makes me wanna do something about child abuse
December 10 ,2010 at 7:29 am
Karleigh,
I was very moved by your post. No child should endure any kind of abuse! I hope the life ahead of you is full of joy and happiness…you are sensitive and selfless despite what you have endured!
May 4 ,2008 at 1:56 am
This is from Jasmine Thompson-just moved it to Kelsey’s page:
“DEAR LANCE BRIGGS ,
I JASMINE THOMPSON AM
VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOST
IT MIGHT OF BE YERS BACK BUT
I HOPE THAT SHE HAS GREAT TIME
IN HEAVEN AND I HOPE YOU DONT HAVE
A VERY BAD BUT I KNOW IT WILL BE HARD
AND YOU WILL GET THOUGH IT
SINCER LY JASMNIE THOMPSON”
June 25 ,2008 at 7:49 am
i already rote a comment when i was 10 but now im a 11 i dont feel any older but im so glad about having my family and im so hurt about kelsey this little baby. i dont know who would want to hurt her i hurd of missing kids, raped kids,and abused kids but i looked at kelsey videos for a year and ther were ones of her playing and i thought no more pain for this little baby gir i hope mikle loves it in hell because thats ware he is going
R.I.P. KELSEY BRIGGS
August 17 ,2008 at 6:49 pm
If that awfull pair of pityful excuse for human beings come in contact with another child ever again i will personaly hunt then down and make them suffer in the name of kelsey.if i don’t get the pleasure of seeing michel suffering or behind bars for life i hope he enjoys hell.let him burn to the bone
August 17 ,2008 at 11:49 pm
I am SO sorry of what happened to your cute, pretty daughter of yours. We NEED to stop child abuse before someone gets hurt again. Kelsey was the CUTEST girl I had ever seen in my life. If she was still alive, she would be the same age as my sister, Cayla. She won a princess pagent too. Well, sorry for your loss. And RIP Kelsey!
xoxo Caitlyn
September 7 ,2008 at 7:13 pm
I had a little girl that was sexually abused an now she’s mentally retarded . her dad an hsi mother did this to her . i was abused by my ex an i’ll never get over it . But God will make them pay for this when they have to stand before him . sorry about your loss but i lost my daughter too .
candy
October 11 ,2008 at 1:09 am
I have watched Kelsey’s videos and it’s been a month now. I just can’t seem to get over it. Not a day goes by that I don’t visit Kelsey’s site and c her beautiful face. I have 4 kids, I too get exhausted and irritated but I wud not even dream to do what Kelseys’ parents did to her.
Confusion is, cannot actually tell who all she was abused by. It seems like she was abused by Kathy, who tried to make it look like Raye was doing it to get custody, and then Mike the bastard took advantage making Raye believe it was the paternal side. I feel like shooting Mike for what he has done to sweet lil Kelsey. I wish I could have looked after her!!!!
October 19 ,2008 at 2:39 pm
Ohhh i fell soo sorry for her. her poor dad must be heart broken that she died a few days before he was coming from iraq. if i could go back in time i would somehow save Kelsey. She was a very beautiful girl. Just looking at this makes me want to do something and anyone can too. Taking just even one crackhead out of the world can like make a difference. May she rest in peace. And may her stupid mom and step-dad rot in hell and be misirable in jail for doing this. If i ever get childeren one day i will never abuse them and my husband wont either. I’ll MAKE sure of it because i can be really scary when i get mad. I cant get over what happened i just hope she has a good life in heaven. WE ALL LOVE YOU KELSEY!!!!!!!
November 23 ,2008 at 8:19 am
Dear dad of kelsey, she seemed like the sweetest girl in my life. My mom has a feriend and she had a baby. I don’t know what my life would b without her. she was the cuteest little girl.I feel so bad for you. I can’t believe that you had to come home bury daddy’s little soilder. Rest In Peace Daddy’s Little Solider (Kelsie Briggs)
December 27 ,2008 at 8:45 am
i hate everyone who killed a child and mostly mike and raye may they rot in hell mike took advantege and waited til her dad went to iraq and then killed her i hope kelsey R.I.P in heven
January 19 ,2009 at 4:49 pm
Can I have five minutes alone with the Porter fellow? I am 6’10 tall, weight 340.00 and participate in Ultimate cage fighting matches.
Maybe the prison will let me visit with this guy and will do everything evryone has mentioned very slowly and painfully.
Anyone who hurts children should simply have a bullet put in their head, save everyone time and money and call it a day.
January 19 ,2009 at 9:40 pm
im in 9th grade and have to do a health report on a topic i choose.
i chose child abuse and decided to you kelsey as an example. this little girl touched my heart<3
February 6 ,2009 at 6:12 am
These parents do not deserve children, they are baby killers. They should all be put in one hell hole that constantly plays out a tape of what they did to remind what monsters they are. They have no brains picking on an innocent child. If one thinks about it tough if those children did not die they would grow up being constantly beaten by monsters thats why i figure that god must of ended those childrens misery. God took away a gift they did not deserve
February 9 ,2009 at 6:48 pm
Dear Mike and Raye Dawn:
Please take this e-mail very, very seriousely for when you are finally released from prison, I will hunt you both down and serve final justic on your pathetic lives. Even though I will be an old women, I will find you and when I am done, I will slowly walk to the nearest police station and turn myself in. I will then spend the rest of my life in prison, (the very few left by that time) with a big smile on my face knowing you are both buring in HELL.
February 10 ,2009 at 11:46 am
Well, In my mind I would love to do this, but in my heart I could not do, but hope someone else does.
April 3 ,2009 at 8:14 pm
Dear the both of you i hate you with all of my heart you guys are the dumest people alive i wat to hunt you down and beat you till you die just like you did to Kelsey and i am glad that you are in jail and i hope that you die in there
June 7 ,2009 at 8:33 am
i luv uu kelsey xx
i am soo angry at the court:@
know what i am really mad at tho
i am angry because sum people in this world(my aunty)cannot av children but wen monsters like(raye not uu lance)and people like(michael)get the rite to be step-parents n parents they throw away tht right it makes me sick:@ they throw away the priveledge tht sum people dnt get n kelsey wasnt even michaels child n he toke her away from her daddy tht cares(lance)he had no rite he lost his lil solider xx
R.I.P kelsey xx at least ur in heaven now n u can play with all the other children tht suffered the sme fate as uu xx
ur my concrete angel xx i luv uu
n i feel sorry for lance n kathie xx
July 7 ,2009 at 1:01 am
How can someone raise his hand on the helpless child???
Even if the mother didn’t hurt the child herself she should have prevented whatever was happening… Only mentally sick mothers can ignore the fact that the child is being hurt….
It may sound silly, but in our modern society we should think of creating some special programs or psychological tests for parents before letting them to be around children.. what is it ? Like unknown sick gen that makes some parents to be violent toward their children ??? I can’t even think of a tremendous pain that Kelsey’s dad and grandmother are going through……
The only thing I will pray for a little adorable angel Kelsey to come back to our world to a loving, caring family…………..
August 28 ,2009 at 1:51 pm
Very sad, sad story. I feel so sorry for her father who was helpless to defend her as he served our country, defended “us” and our causes, while his young daughter perished at the hands of her own mother and stepfather, who terrorized her final months. The system failed this young girl. The bruises, broken bones..yet CASA and others say she was fine in the home of her mother. I am now a grandmother of a sweet girl just Kelsey’s age…I can’t imagine the anger and hurt I would feel should someone ever harm her. I think a public hanging..and left to hang..would be a good place to start with people like her mother and stepfather. Rehabilitate? What a joke! How about drop zone their pathetic souls in the middle of some fanatical country in the midst of protest against Americans and get some real justice. I feel so sorry for her paternal grandmother…I am sure she did all she could to protect her granddaughter amidst accusations against her. A true human tragedy.
August 31 ,2009 at 3:38 pm
Any adult that abuses a child physically or sexually should be sentenced to death. Children are helpless and cannot effectively defend themselves. Very sad that he only recieved 3o years and the mother 27 years. How could you allow your child to be beaten and do nothing. Sad world we live in, in 30 and 27 years they will be able to live there lives and that poor little girl and her father will never be able to see each again.
September 1 ,2009 at 2:11 pm
The step father and mother need to be tortured for weeks then be burned alive…
September 2 ,2009 at 3:55 pm
I just saw the video today although I remember hearing this on the news. I was never able to have a baby and this mommy did not protect and did unthinkable things to hers. How do we as a society let this happen? My heart breaks for her daddy, he is the one that needs our prayers now. Kelsey is in heaven and without tears. He has to go on without her and all his dreams for her. I agree with Charlotte two comments prior to this. My heart and prayers will be with him always. The picture of him at her grave was to much to bear for me, I just cannot imagine how awful for him. God bless and keep this man!!!
September 6 ,2009 at 4:10 am
hope both of them get what they deserve in jail…bastards
September 8 ,2009 at 5:41 pm
I don’t understand how she was abused for months and the mom still was allowed to have her. Where was child service. They took her away once but gave her back to the mom and stepdad. Shame on them. Why would a judge do that? Not only that she got 2 broken legs and they still let them have her. I am so sad and pissed off about that.
September 29 ,2009 at 2:36 pm
I am so disturbed about what happened to this innocent angel. I was introduced to this story today and cannot stop thinking about it. I have spent most of the day researching this and trying to understand what happened. There is no peace with this story.
November 4 ,2009 at 10:03 pm
I am deeply saddened for this precious angel. This site is one of several that I have read about this child on. One of the sites said that this little angel was drop-kicked in the stomach. If parents don’t want their children then they could always give them up for adoption. There are so many people out there that cannot have a child on their own and would probably love to have the child give to them. As a christian we are supposed to pray for these people who are abusing & killing kids. GOD will deal with them come judgement day & may HE have mercy on their souls.
November 13 ,2009 at 2:49 am
Like most people that have heard or seen the videos of kelsey briggs, I too cannot stop thinking about her and what she went through the last months of her life. The pictures of the last day that she saw her paternal side of the family, she looked so sad and she was looking up at the skies when they were swinging her, it seemed like she was looking up at the heavens already. She looked so weak and it hurts to think that even after that she still got abused and felt pain. Those who knew her were lucky. I can only hope and pray that she is happy and laughing just like all the beautiful pictures taken of her. I cannot get her off my head. Since I first saw her on youtube, not a day goes by that I don’t go back just to c her face… But now I don’t finish the whole video bcus it hurts 2 c the end. Rest in Peace Kelsey, I hope ur never alone. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You will never be forgotten….
November 25 ,2009 at 9:59 pm
i don’t know how anybody could do such a thing speacially to a child who couldn’t deffend herself, kelsey’s life shouldn’t have been taken so early…. mothers are suppose to watch out for you and take care of you i am sorry that such an awfull thing had to happen for people to open their eyes and see that not all things are what they appear to be.. rest in peace little angel you will never be forgotten for most people like myself we will not forget the first time we heard about your death.. the only thing i have to console my heart is that you are up above in heaven and that there nobody can hurt you…you are with god now and i am happy for you….
LOVE ALWAYZ…KELSEY BRIGGS
July 11 ,2010 at 12:50 pm
Ok, This may not be the popular response to those at first glance but I beg you to take into consideration my opinions and read the details.
In my opinion and I do admit was quick to judge before reading the full details implicating the mother, but if you read the entire page of this
http://www.usobserverok.com/archive/edition1-07/kelsey-smith-briggs.htm
Which is listed as a document on Kelseys Purpose website, there are details that are very disturbing that cannot be overlooked.
Yes, Raye Dawn should have been more observant as to whom she had around her child (AND THIS IS NOT A DISSUASION TO MICHAEL PORTER WHO IS A CHILD PREDATOR AND KILLER) but honestly, over a period of 2 years this child was being neglected and records do show in the Paternal grandmother’s care.
What I am trying to say is that sadly not only can Michael Porter be blamed but if you read these miniscule details you will see that Kathie Briggs herself had a history with her own children, Kelsey had broken 2 of her legs in HER care, the father has a history of abusing the mother (once resulting in a miscarraige of a child) as well as countless other women most recently his new wife/ex wife, taking anger management classes and another thing— He was not in Iraq, He was in a military treatment facility for abusing drugs and was about to be discharged from the military when he learned about the death. Not the sugar coated ordeal many have been shown in the media.
This is all documented and true. Now can you imagine why the mother would not have had a clear mind to unknowingly fall victim as well to the predator who is Michael Porter. There are many people who had a hand in this childs fatality.
Now, what makes me especially angry is that the grandmother has plotted a scheme with Michael Porter that if he implicated Raye Dawn (if she was not convicted then Kathie Briggs and Lance Briggs would have only received half of the 14 Million dollar lawsuit they filed against the State, Don’t tell me that 7 million dollars is not motivation for deception) basically he would be taken care of by the family. There are NUMEROUS jail calls and letters emails between daughters of Kathie Briggs and Briggs herself with Michael Porter
http://www.usobserverok.com/articles/kelsey/kelsey-emails.htm
All for the sake of money. She is a disgusting excuse for a human being disguising herself as a concerned grandma when she is clearly exploiting her grandbaby. There are other ways to help abused children and by giving 10% of sales of books and tshirts and hats AND DONATIONS (that were halted by the Attorney General himself because funds were being “grossly dissipated for personal use“)
I am not the only one that has questioned her (and Lance’s) motives. They continue to live off the sympathy of this precious childs death. It is a job for them. Enjoying luxury homes and boats and cars and etc. Why not donate EVERY DIME to these children or 50%. 1.00 off of a 10.00 book and where do the rest of the funds go to? The father is unemployed but living lavishly, as well as grandma.
Question that. Probably for comissary to the murderer for providing the grandma with eternal financial security. What a horrible horrible thing.
Raye Dawn did make a mistake, she was blinded by the deception of a predator, that is very easy, most people never know that the closest person to them could be a predator but the other mistake was also allowing Lance Briggs and his family take over her life. She invited both of these men into her life and like it or not the truth is there are one of the same.
Lance Briggs Facebook–
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000409895524&ref=search
Questionable motives-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Who-Killed-Kelsey/158870832271?v=photos&sb=4#!/photo.php?pid=3657858&id=158870832271
Wolves in sheeps clothing I tell you.
Now Raye Dawn’s mother is fighting for the advocacy against wrongful convictions. Make sure to educate yourself with all the details before pointing the finger, this I have learned.
Kelsey is not a purpose for a non profit organization to fund the selfishness of other but she was a CHILD with dreams and a beautiful innocent pawn in a sick game. She would have grown into a lovely young lady.
July 17 ,2010 at 4:28 pm
You should read the whole story and not just one side before you judge her mother. If you read both stories you’ll see the mother was railroaded and it was all for politics. It’s obvious that she loved her child but there was alot of confusion as to where the abuse was coming from. She did everything that was asked of her and went to the department of human services a million times. Don’t just sit and make comments on something you know nothing about.
Also the picture of Kelsey’s father in uniform is a bunch of prop bullshit set up by his mother and the media to make the whole case against Raye Dawn because she hated her. He wasn’t even in the military when that bullshit photo was taken. Know what your talking about before you talk.
September 30 ,2010 at 2:09 pm
I think that you are one of Raye Dawn’s relatives trying to take the blame off of the real perpetrator-and that is Raye Dawn. Sure the Briggs may not have been the best, but they did not kill Kelsey. They were not there on the day that Kelsey died. They did not deal the final blow. Why don’t you take your head out of your butt and look at the real facts. Raye Dawn let her child be abused-and may have well abused her herself. Stop being a bullshitter, and face the facts.
September 18 ,2010 at 5:36 pm
I HOPE THESE TWO BURN N THE PITtS OF HELL!!!! I HOPE MICHEAL LEE pORTER GETS RAPED iN JAIL I HOPE THEY BEAT HIS ASS EVERYDAY FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE!!!!! THE MOTHER THAT STUPID BITCH I HOPE THEY BEAT HER ASS n JAIL EVERDAY as WELL SHE’S @ DUMB BITCH FOR NOT pROTECTING LIL KElSEY!!! KELSEY UR AN ANGEL!!!!! May u REST IN pEACE!!! LUV U DOLL!!!!!
February 24 ,2011 at 9:09 pm
I want to make it clear I am not making excuses for Micheal Porter or Raye Dawn for what happened to this baby. I wasn’t there when all of this happened to Kelsey Smith-Briggs so I can only give you my sincere opinion on the facts of this case.
Firstly, I want to point out to everyone that there is more than just emotions to a case. There is FACTS also. And the FACTS of this case doesn’t prove that Raye Dawn ever abused her precious daughter, Kelsey. Or that she ever “willfully” or maliciously” allowed anyone to abuse the poor girl. In fact, the FACTS show that most of the bruises on Kelsey (her two broken legs, collarbone, etc) happened while in the care of her paternal grandmother, Kathie Briggs.
It makes me sick to know that Raye Dawn got 27 years in prison for doing absolutely nothing to this little angel. If you didn’t do anything wrong, why claim that you did? I agree with everyone that there was a couple of red flags that she missed, but you know what, nobody’s perfect. And in my opinion, Raye Dawn was sent to prison for not being “perfect” in front of a biased jury.
All of you people that say that Raye Dawn abused the girl, or allowed anyone to abuse her, can you prove ANY of what you are trying to imply? Plus, you weren’t even THERE during the 9 months of horrific abuse that Kelsey had suffered so you can’t prove that Raye Dawn ever allowed anyone to abuse the poor angel.
Might I also point out that to all of you people who think Michael Porter is guilty, that he “pleaded down to a lesser charge of enabling child abuse.” You are complaining that he only got 30 years in prison. I agree, i think he deserves to get shot in the head multiple times. The reason he only got 30 years in prison , everyone , is because he took a PLEA DEAL after being charged with first-degree murder and sexual assault. A PLEA DEAL that was reportedly approved by the paternal family.
Kathie Briggs was so busy making accusations against Raye Dawn, that the real person who murdered Kelsey Smith-Briggs went unoticed and there are serveral FACTS that prove this statement. She was so intent and focused on destroying Raye Dawn, that she let the murderer of her grand-daughter slip by. And yet, everyone is bashing Raye Dawn.
I’m sorry, but where is the proof and evidence that Raye Dawn DIDN’T LOVE Kelsey, or ABUSED her, or ALLOWED SOMEONE ELSE to abuse her? Oh that’s right! There is NONE. She was sent to prison because of a longstanding custody battle fight with the Briggs family.
Even Kelsey’s visitation logs prove that she was apparently biting, throwing things, and yelling at Kathie Briggs during DHS supervised visits. But during supervised visits with her MOTHER, she was loving, and snuggled up to her to watch movies, and every visit ended in “hugs and kisses.” Now does that sound like Raye Dawn was abusing Kelsey?
Kelsey was a happy, healthy baby and lived a fairly normal life for 2 years WITHOUT ANY ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE FROM EITHER FAMILY. You expect the public to believe that Raye Dawn would turn and start abusing her daughter after 2 years with no allegations of abuse from Raye Dawn? I’m sorry but that just doesn’t make any sense.
And actually, contrary to what Kathie Briggs accuses Raye Dawn of, She did notice signs of abuse on Kelsey. According to many reports and sources,
Raye Dawn took Kelsey to the Emergency Room for her broken collarbone, her two broken legs and what not. While other reports prove that she was NOT with Raye Dawn when other signs of abuse occured. Apparently she was in the custody and care of Kathie Briggs when she suffered 2 broken legs.
Michael Porter’s own children even confessed that he would abuse Kelsey when RAYE DAWN WAS NOT AROUND, and that they witnessed on several occasions Porter hitting Kelsey’s head against a brick wall, taking her into a room, and when it opened, Kelsey was crying. They also reported that the baby was CRYING for RAYE DAWN. So you see, His own children even admitted that it was HIM who was doing all the abuse, AND NOT RAYE DAWN.
And yet, the focus is STILL on Raye Dawn, even though she was not responsible for the death of her daughter, while the real murderer of her child got off easy on a 30-year prison sentence because of Kathie Briggs’s hatred of Raye Dawn. That is just ridiculous.
I would remind everyone that Raye Dawn might have been proven innocent, and that the REAL FACTS of her case might have been shown to the public, had she received a fair trial. It was reported that many jurors in her jury, was listening to television news, and having access to computers. Even one juror, Michel Reeves, I believe, admited to joining Kelsey’s purpose before she was selected to be a juror in the Raye Dawn Smith Case.
And speaking of, everyone is making out Lance Briggs to be a hero who reportedly got the news of Kelsey’s death after his return from Iraq. He now claims he got an honorable discharge from the military but his military records show that he was released for being “unfit for military purposes”. Plus he physically assaulted not only Raye Dawn, but his second wife, Ashley Gober, and his ex-girlfriend Marie Larsen, and who knows who else. A police report shows that he broke into Raye Dawn’s home against a temporary relief order, and threw her stuff in the pond, creek, and nearby fields and leaving notes like ” YOU WANT TO PLAY GAMES? YOU DECIDE!” He also reportedly punched Raye Dawn’s stomach while she was pregnant with her baby of three months, causing a miscarriage and doctor’s reports prove this statement. Polcie reports also show that he had hit her several times, pulled out her hair, and apparently the last straw was when he choked her with his arm for “not supersizing his Mcdonalds value meaL.” hMM, what a hero indeed! This is the man who people claim to be a hero.
Also, there were many reports and sources that prove that he was NOT in Iraq when all of this was happening to Kelsey. He was in Fort Benning, Georgia, for testing positive for drugs and physically assaulting a man in Germany. And to anyone who doesn’t believe any of this, ask him to show his military records to the public. If he’s as innocent as he claims, it should be no problem.
It pisses me off to know that now he’s walking away rich with a settlement of $625,000 dollars over his daughter’s horrible and tragic death when there was no evidence whatsoever that he ever tried to save his daughter or fight for visitation rights. Did you know, that it was Kathie Briggs, Kelsey’s paternal grandmother, who pushed for a paternity test when Raye Dawn discovered her pregnancy and not Lance? And there were severaL key people that stated he had told them that he hoped the baby was not his so he could move on with his life. Apparently, all he wanted with the baby was standard visitation. I don’t think those are the actions of a “loving father who loves his baby very, much.”
And yet his mother still tries to make him out a hero, by stating she is proud of the son she has raised. Hmm, So you’re proud of a son that physically assaults women, reportedly gets beaten up for groping a woman in the bar and of multiple charges against him, that involve stalking/harassment?
Oh and speaking of Kathie Briggs and stalking, it was reported that she was stalking and harassing Raye Dawn. Even Meeker Police have testified that “the information that Kathie Briggs knew was through harassment/stalking” It seems there is not only one guilty person in this case.
Before everyone makes all these accusations against Raye Dawn, and that she was not protecting her child, i would urge you to think twice about how her paternal family did not protect her as well. Her father could have protected her, Kathie Briggs could have. Other relatives, and distant cousins, friends could have. But no one did anything.
And now, Kathie has put up a website about how Kelsey’s purpose is to warn people in Oklahoma about child abuse. She’s not “mourning” the death of her granddaughter, she’s using it to gain her money and fame! She just disgusts me.
Don’t you find it funny how KATHIE BRIGGS or anyone else from the Briggs family seem content on blaming Raye Dawn, but never speaking a word about that Michael Porter who sexually assaulted little Kelsey?
There are alot of facts in this case that have not been made public that would prove Raye Dawn’s innocence.
Again, a case is not only made up of emotions but of FACTS ITSELF.
I don’t think Kelsey would be very happy to see her “mommy” thrown in prison for 27 years, for doing something that nobody is able to prove .
In this whole tangled case, there is only ONE PERSON that KNOWS THE FULL TRUTH. That person is Kelsey but Kelsey is dead, unable to tell anyone anything. All the public can do, is assume from the details of her case that were released. However, that being said, some assumptions are wrong and unable to prove that Raye ever contributed to in the death of her daughter.
Again, this is my sincere and honest opinion and I’m entitled to it.
April 29 ,2011 at 9:15 am
how could anyone get mad looking at that little face? 😦
June 4 ,2011 at 12:05 am
I can’t there are people as ignorant as the ‘anonymous’ poster above me.
Most of the bruises happened while Kelsey was in Kathie Briggs care? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? And Kathie nor Lance NEVER filed for custody of Kelsey until the abuse started. Who wouldn’t want to get Kelsey out of that home? Too bad they didn’t succeed. And even if that were true-what about the last four months? Not one photo of Kelsey exists after Aug 27, 2005-where we see a girl with the light taken from her eyes dying before us? IF SHE DIED A HAPPY HEALTHY LITTER GIRL WHERE IS THE PROOF? Kelsey weighed less at her time of death than she did 8 months prior. AND NO ONE FROM THE BRIGGS FAMILY WAS ALLOWED NEAR HER! Raye Dawn saw to that!
Kathie is VERY MUCH grieving the loss of her granddaughter! Who isn’t? Raye Dawn? Since Kelsey’s death she woke up the very next day and went shopping with the man who was the last person to see Kelsey alive and went shopping for their ‘new’ baby after filing a VPO against Kathie & Lance Briggs so they could not even ASK about what happened to Kelsey, yet she had no problem going home and sleeping with the man she claims murdered her.
Kathie Briggs is a wonderful grandmother to her other 10 grandchildren NONE OF WHICH were ever abused. Raye Dawn Smith has been pregnant 3 times-the first she lost due to drugs and drinking (the lie about Lance punching her in the stomach didn’t come up for years when she was trying to make herself again look like the victim. If Lance really did do that-why didn’t she say anything at the time and then marry him? Unless she cares more about men then her children….) the second was murdered before the age of 3 and the third was removed from her care and was born suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome. She ADMITTED under oath to driving drunk with Kelsey in the care more than a dozen times!
Since Kelsey’s murder Raye Dawn has not even said she was responsible for anything-yet she puts so much emphasis on Kathie Briggs. Kathie told her (she admitted to in the OSBI interview that it was Mike that was abusing Kelsey) Raye’s own MOTHER said “we were just starting to watch him” at Raye’s trial. So they suspected him of abuse yet left Kelsey alone with him anyway in HER MOTHER”S OWN WORDS! The only time Raye Dawn cried for Kelsey was when she was going to prison. She didn’t shed one tear when she learned Kelsey was murdered. She didn’t shed one tear while picking out the plot or the dress to bury her daughter in, but when she got those handcuffs you see she shed waterworks!
When Raye was asked what she would do if she were not sent to prison she said she would like to do public speaking-on what? MARRYING THE WRONG MAN TWICE. Nothing about her daughter.
If she or the rest of her family would of fought half as hard for Kelsey as they did to lie on everyone and get Raye out of prison Kelsey would still be alive.
Not one judge, juror or anyone with a brain believes the lies the FKM websites spew and she just exhausted her last appeal.
Read the FACTS. http://www.thetruth4kelsey.blogspot.com.
This is not my opinion it is the TRUTH and I’m not turning a blind eye to it.
July 15 ,2011 at 6:26 am
Before jumping to conclusions or jumping on the band wagon, we all would be better off to search out the truths. I find it really disturbing that Michael Porter, who is the one who’s responsible for the death of Kelsey Smith Briggs, somehow managed to escape punishment for his crime. He committed horrible acts against little Kelsey, yet he was somehow able to strike a deal with the DA and testify against Kelsey’s mother, Raye Dawn Smith. How did this happen? At the time of Kelsey’s death DHS had two workers on her case. Yet despite all the visits to the home of Raye Dawn and Michael Porter, not ONCE did either worker suspect Porter or Smith of abuse. These people are trained and college educated to notice tell tell signs of abusers and child molesters, but they never felt reason to feel that Kelsey was in imminent danger in that home. So, why did prosecutors expect Raye Dawn Smith to notice things that even highly qualified government workers missed? It’s appalling and shameful. I believe that if you would like to hear the REAL truth of this sad story, you need to read this: http://usobserverok.com/archive/edition1-07/kelsey-smith-briggs.htm Barry Jon is an Investigative Reporter for the US Observer Oklahoma. Insightful truths for another person in our system who was wrongfully convicted.
After spending almost a year trying to find a media outlet that was interested or willing to expose the reality behind my brother’s death, I was surprised on day while checking my emails. An investigative reporter from the Hartford Courant was wanting to talk with me about my brother. It was after 11 p.m. here, and almost 2 a.m. in Conn.
Not thinking about the time difference, I offered to call her back the following morning. “Oh, no…wait just a second, and let me find something to write with…is that ok with you?” she asked. “Yeah, that’s fine.” I told her.
You see, Jeff died on Feb.8, 2005 in Iraq from a self inflicted wound. It would be one year to the day of his death if I waited until the next day to call her back…I knew it was going to be a long conversation in the first place, and I really had no desire to relive all that again on the anniversary. So, for the next 3 or more hours, I spilled out my heart, guts, and soul to this stranger on the opposite end of the conversation. I did all this, going against my family’s wishes at that time…not for myself, but to give a voice back to someone who was not allowed to speak. And the only request that I made to Lisa Chedekel was this…”I want this to be written so that it may help another family not have to endure the grief our family has, and also to bring much needed awareness to this issue so that possible changes could be made for other service members in the same position.”
I knew that there was a risk of backlash from the Army and that people may view Jeff differently if they knew the truth behind his death. I didn’t want to tarnish his image, but in this instance, the end justified the means.
PLEASE READ: query “mentally unfit, forced to fight” and “Jeff was really messed up”.
With all this being said, I can validate my first hand knowledge of the tremendous and difficult tasks that investigative reporters face when doing their stories.
They tell the stories that no one wants to hear, but needs to hear. They tell the lives of those affected by deplorable situations. It’s not to gain our sympathy, but to inform us of things being swept readily under the rug.
I implore all of you to reassess this story for yourselves. Don’t just believe what I’m saying. And for Lance Briggs, being a PROUD Gold Star Sister, I’m not only disturbed by allegations that you were some kind of hero coming back from Iraq, I’m also very angry that anyone would make such false claims.
My heart goes out to ALL family members, on BOTH sides of this story, because let’s face it…in the end, the fact remains the same. Kelsey Smith Briggs will never live the life God intended for her to live, and what a loss we all suffer as a result. RIP little Angel
(Every single one of us has the ability to make a difference in the lives of others. Whether it be to make amendments to current laws or to create new ones, we have a duty…as a society, and as a human being, to protect those who cannot protect themselves. If you know that something is wrong, why wouldn’t you speak out about is? Far too often, we turn a blind eye and tell ourselves “It’s not my business…” Yet, when we see others who had an opportunity to save someone and they didn’t, we are outraged. I’d rather have someone mad at me for voicing my opinion and for doing the right thing, than to see another child die because no one cared enough to save their life.
December 6 ,2011 at 6:02 pm
Kelsey I remember all the fun times we had together when i came to see you i nwish u were still here You Are my Favorite Cousin I REALLY LOVE YOU A WHOLE BUNCH
December 21 ,2011 at 5:13 pm
Even though I didn’t know Kelsey I know that she is going to heaven.
To lance Briggs I am very very sorry for your lost and I hope you don’t hate your self for this. And for the other to I hope they get what they deserve in jail. Don’t drop the soap !!!! !!!!!! !!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!! !!!!! !!!!! !!!!! !!!!! !!!!! !!!!! !!!! !!!!!!!
!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!! !!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!! !!!!! !!!!! !!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!!! !!!!!! !!!!! !!!!!! !!!!! !!!! !!!
February 10 ,2013 at 9:26 pm
Undeniably consider that that you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be at the net the simplest factor to be mindful of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about issues that they just don’t realize about. You managed to hit the nail upon the highest as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , folks could take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thank you
March 24 ,2013 at 2:39 am
I happened upon this tragic story back in 2007, and I have been haunted by it ever since. Kelsey was a Precious Gift from Jesus and yet tortured and murdered by her own mother’s hands and the stepfather’s as well. Disgusting how these two child murderers believe that they can convince others on internet that they are falsely accused!! Prison is the easy part, so enjoy it Ray and Mike!! One day you will come face to face with Jesus and have to give an account for what you both have done. After that, you both will be cast into hell where you both belong!!!
September 13 ,2013 at 3:44 pm
I need help my nephew is being abused by his mothers boyfriend and we reported it DHS interviewed him at his mothers house in front of her which she had already told him he better not tell or he would get a spanking so DHS closed the case saying he loves his mom and the kid said his injuries came from riding his bike which he doesn’t have a bike at her house cause its at my house they will not reopen the case even though there has been head injury,deep bruising in the muscleto his forearm all documented by a Dr. I don’t know what else to do and I don’t know when I will get to see him again the few times she has let me keep him he has begged me not to make him go back my heart is breaking….Please help any info you can give me would be great I appreciate it.
February 1 ,2014 at 6:54 am
I too happened upon this tragedy that defies words yet I will continue. Every adult in this child’s life is guilty of her abuse and death. Most assuredly the step-father should be taken out striped naked, raped and whipped to death until he can’t breathe anymore. The mother Raye obviously via the pictures took good care of the child ‘before’ she threw Kelsey under the bus to keep this so-called man in her life. It’s actually good Kelsey is dead – she no longer has to deal with this earthly life that is too evil for her to remain in. Rest in Peace little girl. I do hope there is a heaven and that Kelsey is held closely by the angels and the Lord.
February 19 ,2014 at 6:09 am
Dear beautiful baby Kelsey.
You are so precious your beautiful smile, your innocent eyes. I didn’t no you but i feel as if I do. If only I new you to help you, to fight for you. I seen your videos on you tube and its just taken my breath away its made me look at my life in so many different ways and its made me relies what I want to do in life. Babies and children need people to speak up for them why did there have to be rules changing after you lost your precious little life. You should have come 1st your feelings, its you who was important. There are many people to blame. I keep researching and researching to find answers some stuff just does not add up. watching videos of you breaks my heart everyday and when I look at my little girl she reminds me of you, watching your videos and thinking of the pain you went through for that long cruel 9 months just tears me apart. your amazing Kelsey u still managed to pull your beautiful smile. you wouldn’t of understood what was going on. I look at the pictures of you and your mummy and I see love in her eyes. you needed saving precious Kelsey and there was no one there to save you from that HELL you were put through. no baby deserves that no child does no one does. your an amazing strong little girl. But someone noes exactly what happened to you and I believe that in both houses that you went back and fourth from, someone at both houses was hurting you. thinking about that confusion that you would of had that pain that you went through makes me wish that I could turn back the clock and come and save you, you needed just one person to change what they had done in the justice department, or a doctor a family member, if one person had spoken out stronger you could be still with us today. I don’t understand why you were born into this world to be treated like that. I question myself everyday. even thro I didn’t meet you, you will always be in my heart and I am sure many millions more. your an angel and your absolutely special and I bet if the world new what you were going through people would have been there to save you because if I new what was happening to you I would have been there to save you even thro I live in new Zealand. you inspire my life and the path I am going on to help children and babies in need to speak up. because that’s what the world needs. children need LOVE that’s the most precious thing that you could give a child.
Kelsey your just amazing I hate the way your life ended it makes me sick to my stomach, but I bet you have inspired and helped many children and babies.
YOUR AMAZING
October 2 ,2016 at 9:26 pm
Jimmy do miss you
May 9 ,2021 at 11:12 am
Deidaras