Friends of Incarcerated Mom Took in Her 3-Year-Old Girl, Then 'Tortured Her to Death'

Candi Royer and Travis Brown have both been handed life sentences for the torture and murder of a 3-year-old girl who was under their care while her mother was incarcerated.

Royer received her life sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in September, with Brown receiving his life sentence along with an additional 20 years for child abuse. Brown was also found guilty of child cruelty, concealing a dead body, and conspiracy.

Both Royer and Brown were entrusted with the care of Khaleesi Cuthriell, the 3-year-old daughter of Amanda Mullen, who was incarcerated in 2020 for a probation violation. Despite requests for the child to live with her father or Mullen's sister being denied by Child Protective Services (CPS), Mullen suggested Royer, who was a friend and occasional babysitter for Khaleesi.

During the trial, it emerged that CPS had placed the child with Royer despite knowing she was under home electronic monitoring due to a prior criminal conviction. CPS was also unaware that Brown lived in the residence, and the department failed to follow up on the child's welfare after placing her in the home.

Recordings of phone calls between Mullen and her daughter, as well as disturbing video evidence of the abuse Khaleesi endured, were presented during the trial and sentencing. In one call, Mullen expresses love for her daughter, to which Khaleesi responds affectionately. However, later evidence revealed Royer subjecting the child to verbal abuse and forcing her to stand naked in a bathtub filled with feces.

Khaleesi was found covered in cuts, bruises, and burns, with most of her hair missing. Prosecutors believe she died in January 2021 after enduring months of torture. The child was not reported missing until September 2021 when Mullen, who had lost contact with the caregivers, learned of Royer's disappearance from television news while in prison.

Subsequent investigation found bloodstains containing Khaleesi's DNA at the couple's home, along with a wire hanger with Royer's DNA. Brown initially claimed CPS had taken Khaleesi before admitting to her death, alleging she had killed herself by hitting her head on a doorframe. He claimed to have attempted resuscitation before disposing of her body in a trash can. Both defendants denied directly causing the child's death, though Royer acknowledged her failure to act.

Despite pleas from Mullen for information about her daughter's remains, neither defendant disclosed the location. Royer expressed regret during her sentencing, stating she would reveal Khaleesi's whereabouts if she could.

Mullen expressed disbelief at the actions of her former friend Royer, questioning how someone with children of their own could commit such atrocities. Brown intends to appeal his conviction, while Royer may be eligible for geriatric parole upon turning 65.