Crime Stories with Nancy Grace: Season 1, Episode 173

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When a complication with his injuries lands marine-veteran Jon Elliot in the ICU, his wife Brandi is left to take care of their 7-year-old daughter, Piper, between her restaurant shifts.

After a week in the hospital, Jon is stable enough to move out of critical care. Piper is so excited to finally visit her dad, she spends all day drawing pictures to decorate his hospital room. Piper gives her dad plenty of her famous hugs during the visit, before mom says it's time to go home.  

When mom and daughter return home, Elliott wants some time alone. Elliott tells Piper she'll be back in a few minutes and sits at the bottom of the stairs leading to their door. Worried about her mom, Piper follows Elliott downstairs and starts talking. Elliott then gets up and crosses the street to a greenway along Drake's Creek, with Piper following behind her. 

7-year-old Piper asks where they're going several times. Then, Elliott grabs Piper by the wrist and leads her down to the creek. Elliott shoves Piper's head under the water and tells her to be quiet. When Piper stops struggling, Elliott pulls her from the water, starts CPR, and calls 911. Piper is rushed to the same hospital as her father, but it's too late. The little girl dies and mom, Brandi Elliott is immediately arrested for murder.