Military Couple Charged with Starving Their Child to Death on Army Base By Sean Neumann

A former U.S. soldier and his wife could spend the rest of their lives behind bars after authorities allege they starved their young daughter to death. 

The Justice Department announced late last week that Brandon Kelley and Stacey Kelley have been charged with felony murder and two counts of second-degree murder. Federal prosecutors allege that their child, Vyolet Kelley, “died because she was deprived of adequate nourishment and medical care while living at Fort Stewart Military Reservation.”

News4Jax reported that the alleged abuse took place between October and November 2024, though it is not clear when the couple’s daughter died or how old she was at the time of her death. 

PEOPLE has reached out to the Justice Department for more information about the case. Local jail records show the Kelleys have both been held without bond since Aug. 8.

According to the news release, Brandon, 29, was an enlisted soldier at the time and lived on the Georgia military base with his wife, 26, and their young daughter.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE‘s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

“The allegations in this case are heartbreaking on many levels,” Acting United States Attorney Tara M. Lyons said in a statement announcing the charges. “Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue justice.”

The Kelleys could potentially face life in prison without parole if convicted, DOJ said in the statement.

Fort Stewart is the same installation where a service member allegedly opened fire on his fellow soldiers last week, injuring 5. The suspect, Sergeant Quornelius Radford, faces various charges including attempted premeditated murder.