Suffer the Little Children – Episode 190: Raylee Browning, Retold (Part 3)

Date: January 30, 2025
Host: Laine
Theme: The heartbreaking abuse, neglect, and death of 8-year-old Raylee Jolynn Browning, and the fight to get justice for her, with testimony and outcome from the trial of her father, stepmother, and step-aunt, as well as tributes to who Raylee was in life.

Episode Overview

In the third and final retelling of Raylee Browning's tragic story, host Laine covers the criminal trial of Raylee’s abusers—including her father, Marty Browning Jr., his then-girlfriend Julie Titchenell, and Julie’s sister, Cherie Titchenell. The episode dives into the complex medical testimony, emotional eyewitness accounts, the verdict and sentencing, and finally, it offers a loving memorial to Raylee through memories from her mother and family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Background and Lead-up to Trial

• Recaps prior episodes: Raylee’s years of severe abuse, culminating in her death, and evidence such as autopsy findings and legislative efforts inspired by her case.
• The trial was repeatedly delayed, finally beginning in June 2022, over three years after Raylee’s death. Judge Paul Blake presided.
• Defense hired Dr. Cyril Wecht, a renowned forensic pathologist, arguing Raylee died of natural causes—but his connection to the case was questioned by the prosecution (01:30–03:10).

Medical Testimony & Emergency Response

• EMT on Scene: Angela Coleman described Cherie as “emotionless and casual” when handing over Raylee’s cyanotic, limp body. (04:00)

• Emergency Room Staff: Dr. Dilip Gattasara and nurses Tamara McGinnis & Virginia Kessler recalled Raylee's body was ice-cold, covered in splotches and bruises, and that efforts to resuscitate her failed. Julie appeared “abnormal,” showing little emotion (05:07, 06:02).

  “She felt like she was in the presence of evil.” – ER Nurse on Julie’s demeanor (05:59)

• Pediatrician & Psychiatrist Testimony: Dr. Michelle Staton highlighted Raylee's significant weight loss and referrals to various specialists (07:19). Psychiatrist Dr. Brandon Workman, relying mainly on information from Julie, listed multiple psychiatric diagnoses and a heavy medication regimen (07:55).

Medical Forensics: Malnutrition, Sepsis, and Munchausen

• Medical Examiners (Dr. Mock, Dr. Sevoshman, Dr. Moffatt): Detailed autopsy findings attributed cause of death to severe, untreated pneumonia and sepsis (09:59–11:14). Raylee was severely malnourished—below the 5th percentile for weight for her age—making her more vulnerable to fatal infection.

  “Any lay person would have recognized that the child was very ill.” – Dr. Mock (11:54)

• Child Abuse Specialist: Dr. Joan Phillips deemed it a case of medical child abuse (Munchausen syndrome by proxy). Caregivers had manipulated doctors with false information, withheld real symptoms, and pushed for excessive psychiatric medications (12:25–16:30).

Raylee's Mother's Testimony and Child Witness

• Janice Wriston (Raylee’s mother): Tearfully described Raylee’s birth and the pain of losing her visitation rights for over a year (17:08).

• S.C. (Julie’s biological child): Presented harrowing firsthand accounts of Raylee’s daily abuse—being locked in her room, denied food and water, forced to walk hallways, and even once drinking from the toilet. S.C. described Cherie as the most aggressive adult, often the instigator of physical abuse (17:22–19:47).

  “It seemed as if Rayleigh was always being punished, even if she hadn’t done anything to deserve so.” – S.C. (18:08)

  “She was fighting for her air, like she was snoring.” – S.C., on Raylee’s final days (19:38)

Teacher and CPS Involvement

• Carrie Celebre (Teacher): Testified Raylee was normal, intelligent, and emotionally needy at school, showing no signs of behavioral disorders claimed by her caregivers (22:26–24:33). Celebre detailed multiple referrals to CPS after seeing injuries on Raylee, but officials dismissed the concerns, calling Raylee instead a "targeted" (not abused) child (26:08).

• Teachers fed Raylee at school despite orders from Cherie not to, observing she was perpetually hungry (27:18, 27:59).

  “If we had something like mashed potatoes and gravy, she would lick her tray, eat every bite.” – Ms. Celebre (28:04) “I told the board superintendent that if Rayleigh was allowed to be withdrawn and homeschooled that she would die.” – Ms. Celebre (28:49)

Defense Witnesses and Contradictions

• Several family friends and relatives attempted to downplay or deny abuse, following pressure to lie about Raylee's condition. Sister Angela Young revealed attempts to coerce her testimony. Multiple witnesses’ claims were inconsistent or contradicted by clear physical evidence and expert testimony (29:25–30:46).

  “There have been several incidents where I have had people telling me to say I was with them in the house on Christmas Day or say that I at least Facetimed the kids on Christmas day? ... I can’t testify to that because I did not see her.” – Angela Young (29:25)

• Dr. Wecht offered testimony backing up the cause of death but framed it as a “natural” death due to pneumonia (31:00).

Closing Arguments and Verdict

• Prosecutor Brian Parsons: Argued Raylee’s caregivers knew how to manipulate the system, used fabricated psychiatric histories, and ultimately denied her lifesaving medical care for fear of discovery (36:00–37:01).

  “Rayleigh’s last words on the record ... were, 'I want to go to the hospital.' She was desperate to save her life. I implore you, don’t let Rayleigh down.” – Brian Parsons (36:51)

  “I hope that ... there continues to be concerns raised and importance placed on taking care of children who are in homeschooling and aren’t in the public school system because they're really an at-risk population.” – Brian Parsons (37:05)

• Defense Arguments: Centered on technicalities (jurisdiction disputes), downplayed the abuse, and suggested behaviors were self-inflicted or that witnesses were unreliable (35:00–36:30).

Jury Deliberations:
After just 3.5 hours, all three defendants were found guilty of child neglect resulting in death (lesser charge), but not guilty of the more severe charge of death of a child by parent/guardian by abuse—largely due to technical definitions of direct causality and jurisdiction (37:33).

Sentencing and Aftermath

• Judge Blake’s Sentencing (August 2022):
  Each defendant received 3–15 years in prison, chastised for their inhumanity:

  “Any decent father would have scooped her up and took her to get help. Where’s your decency? You stood by and watched this child die on Christmas night.” – Judge Blake, to Marty (40:55) “You went to sleep that night while your child was dying and you didn’t care enough to do anything.” – Judge Blake (41:07) “I wish I would have seen more signs and symptoms,” pleaded Cherie during sentencing, to which Judge Blake replied, “I don’t think you cared what happened to her.” (41:24)

• Janice (Raylee’s Mom):
  Permitted to address Marty directly:

  “You failed her horribly. You had to notice her losing weight. You can’t pretend that our daughter isn’t gone, and I blame you.” – Janice Wriston (41:50)

• Prosecutor:
  Emphasized the shocking simplicity that could have saved Raylee:

  “A 15 minute trip to Med Express would have saved in all likelihood this child’s life. This is what justice looks like ... it doesn’t feel that way because it’s hard to imagine the loss of an eight year old child.” – Parsons (42:03)

Remembering Raylee: Who She Was

• Birthday Vigil:
  Following sentencing, the Browning family held a vigil for what would have been Raylee’s 12th birthday, sharing memories, singing, and decorating a Rapunzel-themed cake (39:03–39:36).

  “Rayleigh took very good care of me. And she loved me a lot.” – Jaelyn, Raylee's little sister (39:17) “Rayleigh loved to be there whenever I decorated cakes. She took so much part in it that it broke my heart to make them without her.” – Janice (39:36)

• Janice’s Remembrance:
  A heartfelt portrait: Raylee was a bright, empathetic, loving girl who adored her family, school, Disney movies, dolls, and sunrise snuggles. She dreamed of going to college and becoming a teacher or a loving mother. She was her mom’s “sunshine.” (43:42–47:41)

  “She was an amazing, empathetic, beautiful, loving, loved-be-loved, hugged child, loved sunrises, loved horses, loved school, loved. ... She loved her school teachers ... she wanted to be a mommy one day like me and love her kids like I loved her with all my heart.” – Janice (40:02, 46:02)

• Listener Message:
  Janice and her husband Jeremy thanked Laine:

“You are the voice for Rayleigh Jolynn, we are very pleased with your podcast and urge you to keep talking about Rayleigh. She was a beautiful little girl with a heart so full of love.” (47:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:58] – Episode theme intro (trial overview)
• [04:00] – EMT Angela Coleman testimony
• [06:02] – ER nurses describe Raylee’s condition
• [07:19] – Dr. Staton, Raylee’s pediatrician, testifies about weight loss
• [09:59] – Medical examiners and cause of death
• [12:25] – Dr. Phillips testifies on medical child abuse (Munchausen)
• [17:08] – Janice Wriston (mom) testimony
• [17:22] – S.C. (Julie’s daughter) gives eyewitness account
• [22:26] – Teacher Ms. Celebre’s testimony about Raylee at school
• [28:49] – Teacher’s warning about homeschooling
• [29:25] – Angela Young reveals attempts to coerce false testimony
• [36:51] – Prosecutor Parsons’ closing statement; Raylee’s plea for hospital
• [37:33] – Verdict: defendants found guilty of child neglect resulting in death
• [40:55] – Judge Blake sentences and rebukes the defendants
• [41:50] – Janice’s victim impact statement
• [43:42] – Audio from Raylee’s 4th birthday, tributes and loving memories

Notable Quotes

• “She felt like she was in the presence of evil.” – ER Nurse on Julie (05:59)
• “Any lay person would have recognized that the child was very ill.” – Dr. Mock (11:54)
• “Rayleigh was always being punished, even if she hadn’t done anything.” – S.C. (18:08)
• “If we had something like mashed potatoes and gravy, she would lick her tray, eat every bite.” – Ms. Celebre (28:04)
• “I told the board superintendent that if Rayleigh was allowed to be withdrawn and homeschooled that she would die.” – Ms. Celebre (28:49)
• “Rayleigh’s last words on the record ... were, 'I want to go to the hospital.' She was desperate to save her life. I implore you, don’t let Rayleigh down.” – Prosecutor Parsons (36:51)
• “Any decent father would have scooped her up and took her to get help. Where’s your decency?” – Judge Blake to Marty (40:55)
• “She was my heart and now and forever it will always be broken.” – Janice about Raylee (47:51)

Closing Notes

• All three defendants are incarcerated and scheduled for parole hearings in June 2025 (43:00).
• Janice, Raylee’s mom, pledges to attend every future parole hearing to continue telling her daughter’s story (43:00).
• The next episode will feature an interview with Janice Wriston, giving her the space to speak in depth about her daughter and their family’s journey for justice.

The episode is a powerful reminder: Children hidden from view—especially those withdrawn from schools—are at special risk. Remembering Raylee for her light, not only her suffering, is the final message Laine conveys so movingly.