Remington Grace Kessler: Brooke and Jacob Kessler Case File

Case overview

West Virginia State Police became involved on June 20, 2024, after Remington was brought unresponsive to CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital. Medical staff reported that the injuries appeared suspicious and non-accidental. Brooke N. Kessler was arrested during the initial investigation. The case was later re-presented to a Putnam County grand jury, and Jacob Greye Kessler was added as a co-defendant in July 2025.

On June 5, 2026, a Putnam County court sentenced Brooke Kessler to 40 years in prison and Jacob Kessler to 10 years. Local reporting described both parents as convicted of murder in connection with Remington’s death.

Chronology

Medical and investigative record

Contemporaneous reports attributed the following findings to treating clinicians, police or charging documents:

• Severe skull injuries and brain swelling;
• Bruising involving the throat, head and eye area;
• A broken arm and multiple broken ribs;
• A concern that the infant’s heart may have stopped following neck compression or asphyxiation;
• A delay in obtaining medical care, later emphasized by the prosecuting attorney.

Early reporting also attributed statements to Brooke Kessler about becoming frustrated while burping the infant and possibly squeezing her too hard. These were reported allegations from the investigation; the complete recorded interview and full charging file were not available in the sources reviewed for this page.

Charging history and legal outcome

Clinical context: postpartum mental health

Jacob Kessler reportedly told investigators that Brooke had experienced postpartum depression. That reported history should be treated carefully: postpartum depression is a clinical condition, not evidence that a person is violent, and most people with postpartum mental-health disorders do not harm anyone. A diagnosis also does not by itself establish or excuse criminal conduct. The public reporting reviewed here does not provide a complete psychiatric evaluation, expert testimony or a judicial finding about Brooke Kessler’s mental state.

Outstanding records and questions

• Certified copies of the superseding indictment for each defendant;
• The final plea agreements or verdict forms identifying the precise offense of conviction;
• Written judgment and sentencing orders, including credit for time served and parole consequences;
• The medical examiner’s final report and formally admitted medical evidence;
• Any appellate filings or post-conviction proceedings filed after sentencing.