Brandon Isabelle was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, and tampering with evidence. He pleaded not guilty.
On September 23rd, 2025, his trial finally began at the Shelby County Criminal Justice Center. More than 30 witnesses testified over the course of the proceedings.
April Campbell took the stand. She described the hour she got to hold Kennedy. She described the hat she put on the baby’s head before Danielle left. She described the phone call that never came.
“She said, ‘Mama, call you right back,’” April testified. “She never called.”
When the prosecutor asked if she had seen Kennedy since that night, April’s voice broke. “No.”
Artisha Stewart provided details on the love triangle. She showed the jury the promise ring Brandon gave her. She read from his letters: “This love I have for you is so unconditional. Baby, you changed me.”
On the final day of trial, prosecutor Drew Carpenter placed a baby car seat in front of the jury. A physical reminder of the victim.
On October 1st, 2025, the courtroom fell silent for the sentencing phase. April Campbell delivered a victim impact statement that left few eyes dry.
“We only got an hour with her. When she laid on my chest, I got the biggest smile. I got to feed her and change her clothes. That was my number seven. She was seven for me. And she just taken just like that. I ain’t slept in three and a half years. We never recovered her body. When we buried her mom, I had a bear made with a bean heart added to her coffin so she wouldn’t be alone.”
Brandon Isabelle stood before the court and offered a formal apology.
“I would like to start off by acknowledging Miss April Campbell,” he said. “I’d like to apologize to you. I’m sorry to you and your family for this tragic event that occurred.”
On November 20th, 2025, Judge Addison delivered the ultimate penalty. She made it clear that a standard life sentence was not enough.
Brandon Isabelle was sentenced to 147 years in prison — two consecutive life terms totaling 102 years, plus an additional 45 years for kidnapping and child abuse.
The judge noted that those extra 45 years represented one year for every hour that baby Kennedy was alive on this earth.
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Danielle Hy was 27 years old when her life was taken. She was two months from her 28th birthday. Kennedy never got the chance to grow up. She was two days old.
Jeriah was nine years old when she lost her mother and baby sister in a single night. She is now 13, being raised by her grandmother, April, in the same White Haven home where she once had a full family.
Family and friends still visit Danielle’s grave in Memphis, bringing red roses and leaving messages of love. April Campbell continues to pray for the day Kennedy’s body is found — so she can finally lay both her daughter and granddaughter to rest side by side.
“You could have walked away,” April told Brandon from the witness stand. “You should have stayed gone. My grandbaby was going to be taken care of regardless. You threw her away like she was nothing. Come on now. Overkill. You shot my baby five times in the head. I can’t forgive you for that. I don’t care how much I try. I just can’t.”
She paused.
