Ashley Parmeley (Jefferson County Jail) and authorities investigating the deaths of her two children (KSDK screenshot)
A 36-year-old mother in Missouri is accused of killing her two young children after she allegedly admitted to drowning her 2-year-old son and fatally shooting her 9-year-old daughter.
Ashley Parmeley was taken into custody on Tuesday and charged with one count of second-degree murder in her son’s death while additional charges in connection with her daughter’s death are still pending, authorities announced.
According to Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak, Parmeley at about 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning walked into the Festus Police Department headquarters and told officers that she had just killed two of her children, shooting one and drowning another. Officers said that Parmeley did not provide a motive for the alleged double murder, describing her appearance as “wet” and “a little disheveled.”
Parmeley allegedly told police that her daughter’s body was in her car, a Mazda SUV, which was parked outside of the station. Officers rushed to the vehicle where they located the 9-year-old who appeared to be suffering from at least one gunshot wound. They attempted lifesaving procedures, but were unable to resuscitate the child, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The little boy was found drowned in a water fountain pool at the Timber Creek Resort in the 4800 block of Highway 67 in unincorporated part of Festus, Missouri.
“Officers jumped in the water, recovered the body, and attempted lifesaving measures as well, but they were also unsuccessful in saving the life of the child,” Marshak said during Tuesday’s news conference.
The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene.
Marshak said that investigators believe Parmeley shot and killed her daughter at a location in the 9000 block of Hwy. E near Bonne Terre. Because that is located in St. Francois County, Missouri, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will ultimately make the decisions regarding what charges to bring in the alleged homicide.
Authorities believe that Parmeley shot her daughter first, then drove to the Timber Creek Resort where she drowned her toddler before heading to the police station to confess. Authorities have not released a possible motive.
“This situation is a tragedy for our community. It’s a tragedy for the family and the victims and anybody that knows this family,” Marshak said.
While police have not identified the two victims, Festus R-VI School District sent a letter to parents confirming that 9-year-old third grade student Scarlet Parmeley had been killed, according to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In the letter, the district described Scarlet as being “a bubbly, energetic, and trustworthy student” who was “caring and compassionate, eager to please, with a good sense of humor.”
“She could make friends with anyone and she was very much looking forward to moving to the 4th grade when classes resume in August,” the letter reportedly said.
Parmeley is currently being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro, Missouri, authorities said. Under Missouri state law, a defendant convicted of second-degree murder faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in a state correctional facility.
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