11-year-old Christopher Alan Brown was killed by his stepmother, Rosalind L. Brown and her brother, Montel Pettiford. Both were convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was poisoned, then his body thrown into the Flint River, in an effort to make it look like an accidental drowning. Surprisingly, it worked for 2 decades, even though his blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit for an adult. Rosalinda was married to Alan’s father, Jestine Brown, who attended court everyday. (I do not know if they are still married, but I doubt it from his words in court). The biological parents’ statements before 
sentencing were heartbreaking. I cannot imagine how they could endure this.
Alan’s mother, Brenda Simpson, shows what a real mother would do: she fought for 23 years for justice for her son. I consider her a hero, a shining example of what a parent in this position should do. It is too bad that she had to do this crusade. First, her son should have never been murdered, especially by someone who was supposed to love and protect him, his stepmother. Second, it should never haven taken 23 years for justice to occur. Sadly, Brenda is the one who had to fight to get justice, to get the case investigated. Investigators ignored her or just tried to pacify her. But her persistence won out in the end! Brenda, I truly admire you.
Find-A-Grave: Christopher Alan Brown
MySpace: A Mother’s Justice
Cox Brings Murder Charges in 22-Year-Old Flint Case
In Flint, a mother agonizes as murder trial approaches in her son’s 1985 killing
After 23 years, justice for Christopher Brown
Second guilty verdict comes down in 23-year-old murder of 11-year-old Christopher Brown
GUILTY – GUILTY
Flint mother’s tragedy and triumph: justice is 23 years late for murdered son, another receives major facial reconstruction surgery
Rosalind Brown, Montel Pettiford sentenced to life in prison for slaying of Christopher Brown
Flint woman’s push to solve her son’s murder to be subject of “Dateline” piece Friday
Hear police interrogations in Alan Brown’s case
Murder victim’s mom blasts candidate for AG
Leyton Lies to Families of Murder Victims AND Clients: Sued for Malpractice, Settles
Murderpedia: Rosalind Laurice Brown
Movies/Documentaries
Suspicion: Murder In The Family
Dateline: Down By The River
Unusual Suspects: Little Boy Lost
Defendants
Rosalind Laurice Brown – convicted, sentenced to LWOP
Montel Joseph Pettiford – convicted, sentenced to LWOP
INMATE INFORMATION
INMATE INFORMATION
Filed under: Child Abuse Homicide, crime, Deadly Duo, high profile, Monsters Among Us, murder, murder in the 20th Century | Tagged: 1985, Brenda Simpson, child murder, Christopher Alan Brown, Family/Domestic Violence, homicide, Michigan, Montel Pettiford, poisoning, Rosalind Brown |
Bonnie's Blog of Crime 
Reblogged this on The Ramblings of an Intellectual Sistah and commented:
Watch this on ID Channel, and it broke my heart!! #whobleedsforthechildren ??
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I hope they get tormented every single day in jail.
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As I read this story it gets me very upset to know the fact that a step mother could do this and justice had to be served 23 years later. What in her earthly mind made her want to do do such a thing. I’m so happy justice was sered I think she should have gotten the death sentence along with her sorry brother
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I saw this on Id and those bastards should get the killed in prison how could they have done this!!!!
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I also watched it on id last night, and was so angered by these 2 horrible people. My heart ached for his mother, what an unbelievably strong woman she is.
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This is Brenda Simpson thank you all for your heart felt comments,Alan truly was a loving child and I miss him so much.
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Hope you see my posts, this story in class today was so touching, I stayed after to get on the computer and do more research. Glad you got answers you needed, hope all is well with you and your family.
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Mrs Simpson..Thanks for the fight you had in you for the love of your son.. Your son is so proud and knew his mother would never give up..He knew you would find out and prosecute to the fullest of the law these wicked and evil people that hurt him that day..God has stood with you all these years and He wouldn’t put more on us than we can bear..He knew you could do it..You are a lot like me..I would fight and never give up when it comes to protecting our children..God Bless You and Remember Weeping May Endure For A Night But Joy Comes In The Morning!! (It’s Morning Time)!!!! Blessings to you and your family.
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You are a wonderfully inspiring woman. Without you, little Alan would not have got justice. He was not resting. That’s why he kept coming to you. Oh how it touched my heart to hear you share that. I have 2 boys ages 11 and 13. I can’t even force my mind to imagine losing them at all, much less as horribly as Alan was taken. I hold them a lot closer every time I hear your story. You are a hero. God bless you! -Nette
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Brenda, I watched dateline about your story and was absolutely heart broken. I will always remember Chistopher Allen. You will always be in my heart and prayers. Thank you for sharing your heart and strength with the world. A part of me has grown. Grown closer to Christ and closer to my children. God bless you and yours always!
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I´ve seen the program about Alan tonight .It was really heartbraking and my thoughts go to his parents.I admire Brenda for never giving up.My daughter is twelve and I cant think of anything worse than that something like this could happen to her.I´ll always remember Alan and what happened to him.Warm thoughts from
Ann-Katrin in Sweden xx
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God bless you, Ms. Brenda. I thank God for the 11 years you had Alan. He’s an angel now and he is t peace thanks to your persistence. I really do not believe in the death penalty, but those two evil monsters deserved it. I o not know you, but I love you and hope everything is very well for you and your other sons. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Angela
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Im so glad you finally got justice for your son I know God kept you through this terrible tragedy God Bless you
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I Watched This horrible story, Alan was such a Sweetie pie although I never known him, My Sincere Condolences. I So happy you have gotten justice for that precious baby..GOD BLESS YOU..A STRONG MOTHER (MY HERO!) I AM WATCHING ON I’D RIGHT NOW
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You are so strong.. I am deeply sorry for your loss. You’ll meet your beautiful son again one day…
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Brenda I am so sorry. I cannot imagine this…you are a hero.
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Hi Brenda. I watched the program tonight 4/18/2016 in California. I could not stop crying an shaking from disbelief of such a horrible act to a child, by a woman who supposedly had loved his father. I take my hat off to you! Your not just a hero to your angel Allen, but to me an every woman that has experienced motherhood an truly love their babies with their souls…God bless you! Your Journey to get justice is a triumph branded into my soul
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Miss Simpson, I am compelled to write you this note after I watched a program yesterday about your Son Alan and the fight you put up to bring those two evil people to justice !!! I cried so much for your beautiful Son and for what you had to go through losing Alan and then all those years working tirelessly to find the truth !!! It has to be the most unimaginable pain to lose a child,,,, I hope so much that you have in some way found some peace in your life, you are a magnificent Women, I am in ore of you and you will always be in my thoughts from this day on !!
With respect and much love to you and your family,
Nina X. from London, England – United Kingdom
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You’re an All-Star mom who didn’t give up on her baby! I admire you tremendously!
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We just did a report and paper on this story, it was so touching for the whole class. We learned about everything, it was so interesting reading the 17 page stack that the teacher had for us today, I’m so happy that justice was finally served, its so sad they did your son like this, he was so young, you(Brenda) moved to Cali and came back because of those dreams, Alan needed you to have closure and sure enough you did. God will handle the two who did this hateful sick crime.
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I literally just eatched this on I’d and I’m damn near in tears. Ijust don’t see how anyone could do something like that. She especially pissed me off in her seemingly happy mugshot pix
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Just watched this morning also. The pair have the look of demons. Thank God that the family was able to bury their beloved child.
Does anyone know who Oron Paterion is? He was shown in this segment.
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Hi Brenda, i have seen ur story on ID twice now and each time it broke my heart, i always play the song Thru the Fire from Chaka now and i always dedicate it to little Alan. He is an angel in heaven and we will see him again one day. U are an unbelievably strong and resilent woman and mother and there should be more mothers like u in this world. God Bless always.
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Thank u for so thoroughly sharing this story. I had heard it before and it is sad on so many levels. I wish I had a way to say it directly to Mrs. Brenda and even hug her but I too truly admire this woman. God bless her. Because of her persistence, Alan can rest in peace. Thank u again,Bonnie for sharing. – Nette
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I hope u got my reply ,Mrs. Simpson. My admiration for u is too much for words to justify. God bless u and God rest little Alan, thanks to his mom. – Nette
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Chris was a schoolmate of mine. We did not believe accidental drowning ever. It is pure evil what they did. With Sheri’s death the year before it scared many of us. The next time I saw a classmate on a missing poster I almost had a nervous breakdown. What they did affected many of us our entire lives.
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Anything that haplens like that is just a life changinv event which changed u but i hope it never held u down so many prayers for u
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They should have been put to death – no life sentences. Our judicial system is a joke. What I want to know is why wasn’t Montel Pettiford’s ex-wife Cathy ever charged with something? Wasn’t she there? She had an opportunity to call the police as they drove 3 miles to the river… She’s also guilty. I hope Alan’s face haunts all three of them until they take their last breath, which hopefully will come very, very soon.
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I hope that rotten thing that calls herself a women and the poor excuse for a man that sorry ass brother, rot in hell each and everyday for their natural born life. My heart goes out for the Alan’s family especially the mother (Brenda Simpson) for displaying a great amount of courage and he persistence in reopening the case.
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I also saw this program on ID. I cried then and it makes me cry now. This precious little boy didn’t deserve what these demons did to him. I hope they die in prison like today. I want an inmate to inflict so much pain on these two monsters so painful that they flatline.
May little Christopher’s family and loved ones accept my deepest sympathy. May you somehow find closure and live life to the fullest. You and little Christopher will remain in my prayers forever.
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I am so sorry for your loss. I just saw this story and I’m sitting here in disbelief. I am so happy that God gave you the strength to keep fighting. I wonder what his dads reaction is to laying with this killer of his child all of those years.
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My dad worked at Truck&bus with Chris dad.I remember they used to live on Flint Park st..My parents used to visit them.I remember Chris smile!!I can not believe that someone had so much hate for a child!!It sicken me!!Brenda Simpson you are incredible mom!I do not understand Jestine Brown how can you not see how evil your wife was!Smh O
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I also feel that a lot of Adults dropped the ball and did not stand up or try to protect Chris!!II
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May God always bless your heart, spirit and life. You are truly an amazing woman, and I will not ever forget you and your son Christopher. I just watched your story on OWN Dateline, it came on a couple of weeks ago, but I just watched it on my DVR. I could not believe that Christopher’s case was handled so haphazardly and it took this long for him, you and your spouse to obtain justice. You also have a very supporting husband who has supported you all these years through your triumph as well as his. Your marriage is strong and I can only wish to have a marriage as strong as yours. This story really cut me to the core, because Christopher and I were pretty much the same age, my birthday is 11/15/1973. Thank God the lady was strong enough to testify against those evil ba*t*rds. I’m thinking she had mental health issues all these years because she knew what happened to Christopher and no one ever followed up with her (she knew they murdered him). She attempted to tell law enforcement, but they just disregarded her pertinent information at the time. Nevertheless, Christopher Brown can finally be at peace and will not ever be forgotten, R.I.P. Christopher Alan Brown 🙂
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Just watched the story here in Finland with tears in my eyes…thank God little Christopher finally got justice. Sending his family love from the other side of the world. Your son may be gone but definitely not forgotten – not even here. I’ll light a candle for Christopher tonight.
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Mrs Brenda, I am so sorry for your lost, m heart is with you for tonight I saw Alan story again and it breaks my heart to tears. You just don’t know how it affects me.I wish I could hug you and express my deepest sympathy to you. I’m so sorry for wat happen to your angel..
Then year Brenda, be comforted knowing. That your dear ala may not be able to come to you but you can be able to go to where he’s at.
Brenda beseech you to please visit the Church of Christ nearest to you.
Seek Jesus, for He is the Truth, the life, and the way, no man can enter the kingdom but by Him. My dear friend, seek your souls salvation for you son is in heaven, so you’ll can be together happily again. Please reach me in Facebook. Sandra Ferrer Sandiford Edenton NC.
God bless you.
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H.mom, I see you have been affect the same as myself. I tell you this story hurts me as though little Alan was my own son. I just pray Mrs Brenda be comforted by the love,and support of the many people that do care an hurt for her too. May God bless her to see her baby again.
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Brenda Simpson, you are definitely a Hero to your Son Christopher
He truly knows how much his mother loves him.
I believe in Heaven and I know he’s not alone.
But, Mrs Simpson you are truly an example of incredible Strength
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This is going to be featured on Justice by Any Means on TVOne this Monday. Looking forward to it.
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There is no love like a Mothers love !
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I seen this on ID last night. I couldn’t believe the torture you went through. As a father of a son, there’s now at I could sit there with a woman that killed my son. You knew from the beginning, stayed strong and represented. Much respect and props.
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I agree. JUSTINE should get life for being so passive. The fact is he was visiting his FATHER who should have been more cocerned about the child. JUSTINE is the monster in the story. How could not know,JUSTINE knew he was concerned with his self only
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Natasha,
Jestine Brown, Christopher’s father, did not just sit by and coddle his 2nd wife. He did not know. When he found out, he DIVORCED her.
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I don’t believe he did know. As soon as he did find out, he divorced her.
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I don’t know what any human being could hurt a sweet innocent child or anyone for that matter…but to hoax a child that depended on that stepmother to take care of him, that was supposed to protect him and keep him safe just makes me sick!! I can not imagine the pain and sorrow that his mother and father must of been going through?? The father I’m sure must carry so much guilt, even though it’s really not his fault from thinking he married someone that should of loved his son just the same and did not at all!! Most of all my heart hurts for Alan’s mother it’s for sure he must of loved his mommy dearly and her the same…she knew in her soul that her baby did not go there by himself and with God she found who took her baby away and with that she could have peace! I know that’s not and never ever could be any satisfaction for what those two really deserve for what they’ve done, but in the end they will pay…at least now to they can’t hurt anyone else ever again!
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This story broke my heart to the core, especially the nonchalant attitude of the police
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I know others, like me, think these two deserved the death penalty. But, their sentence is not a failure by the criminal justice system. Courts can only apply the law. State legislators make laws, including the criminal code, which spells out the sentences that defendants can receive. Fortunately, these two cretins remain imprisoned and will only leave when they die. So, please don’t crucify the messenger (courts). They have no options except to sentence each defendant according to the law created by the state legislature. If law enforcement dropped the ball then it certainly deserves to be held to account. But, the court did all it could by applying the maximum sentence for each defendant.
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Unfortunately Michigan does not have the death penalty. They have had several cases in the last 5 years especially that deserve it, too, including this one.
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I just watched the program about your son. I am so happy you wouldn’t stop until that awful stepmother was convicted. I don’t even want to write mother in the same sentence. You are an inspiration to all mothers. I will pray for your family.
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