The Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday that Brian Owsinski, 26, of Fallsburg, was convicted before the Sullivan County Court of Murder in the Second Degree for the January 2022 homicide of two-year old Amara Campbell. 

Jury selection on the case was scheduled to commence on Monday but standing before County Court Judge Jim Farrell last week, Owsinski pled guilty, admitting that he acted with “depraved indifference to the little girl’s life by striking her in the stomach at least twice, causing injuries that resulted in her death.”

On January 25, members of the Town of Fallsburg Police, New York State Police, Mobile Medic, Woodbourne EMS and others responded to a 911 call placed by the girl’s mother, who reported that the child was unresponsive. The toddler was transported to Garnet Catskills in Harris, where she was pronounced dead. 

An autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Sikirica revealed clear evidence of fatal internal bleeding. A police investigation determined that Owsinski was alone with the child at the time the lethal blows were inflicted.

“This defendant’s actions were unconscionable. There is no bringing Amara back to her family and all of those in our community who loved her. Her death was wholly unnecessary and unforgivable,” said Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan. “Amara’s father has demonstrated tremendous bravery throughout the criminal justice process, supporting this prosecution on behalf of his lost daughter and her surviving sister. My Office will continue to support him and advocate for the life sentence this defendant deserves.”

Galligan additionally praised the work of Senior Assistant District Attorney Steven Goldberg, noting his relentless dedication to preparing this case for trial over the past several weeks. She further thanked Detective Sergeant Brendan Pavese and Investigator Travis Hartman for their continuing participation in the prosecution of this case, together with members of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Identification Units and all of the witnesses who made themselves available during trial preparation of this case.

Pleading guilty means that Owsinski waives his right to appeal his murder conviction. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole for at least twenty years at sentencing, which is scheduled for November 17, 2022. 

The District Attorney’s office says that Amara’s mother remains under criminal indictment in connection with the child’s care and death.