APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – An Appleton woman was arrested in connection with the death of her 13-year-old daughter last year.
37-year-old Nicole Gussert has not been formally charged.
Police say they are recommending a charge of neglect causing death.
On May 29, 2017, police were called to a home on Winnebago Street for the death of a 13-year-old girl with special needs.
After police saw conditions inside Gussert’s home, Outagamie County Child Protective Services and the city of Appleton Health Department were called.
It’s been more than a year since 13-year-old Brianna Gussert’s death.
“She was born with a chromosome deficiency, but she didn’t let anything hold her back,” Brianna’s father, Greg Gussert, explained.
Greg remembers Brianna’s love for the Brewers and Packers.
“She knew the difference when the Packers were playing and when a different team was playing. She’ll look at you and be like ‘why aren’t you changing the channel’,” said Greg.
But on May of last year, Greg unexpectedly had to say goodbye to his little girl.
“I immediately thought it was a bad dream and really kind of hit me there,” said Greg.
Greg initially thought the death of his daughter was due to medical reasons.
Autopsy results determined Brianna died because she wasn’t getting necessary care for her medical conditions.
Sgt. Dave Lund with the Appleton Police Department tells FOX 11 Brianna was living with Greg’s ex-wife, Nicole Gussert, at the time.
He says when officers arrived at Nicole’s home for a welfare check….
“They knew that the conditions in the home were not really sanitary; they started to see things in the room of this 13-year-old special needs child that caused them immediate concern.”
Police arrested Nicole Friday morning and are recommending a charge of Neglect Causing Death.
Greg told FOX 11, he moved out from Nicole’s place 2 years ago and was unaware of the living conditions.
At the time, Greg had custody of one of their children, while Nicole had custody of the other two, including Brianna.
“I’m happy that, something is finally being done.”
Greg calls it one step toward closure and hopes people remember Brianna for who she was.
Greg said he now has custody of his 2 other children.
A court date for Nicole has not yet been scheduled.
