A Missouri woman who walked into a police station last week to admit killing both of her kids reportedly told officers that she tried to ‘sacrifice’ her two-year-old son Isaac before the murders.
In her horrific retelling to the Festus Police Department, Ashley Parmeley, 36, said she shot her nine-year-old daughter Scarlet.
But new court documents reveal that the wicked mother first tried to ‘sacrifice’ her son in St. Francois County before shooting her daughter.
After she fatally shot Scarlet, Parmeley was driving north with both kids in the car, only to realize that her prior attempt to end Isaac’s life was unsuccessful, according to court records obtained by Fox 8 New Orleans.
That’s when investigators say that she drowned her son at the Timber Creek Resort, which is on the outskirts of St. Louis, 13 miles from the police station she ultimately drove to.
When she arrived at the Festus police station, Ashley Parmeley’s clothes were described as ‘wet’ and ‘disheveled.’ She told police she tried to ‘sacrifice’ her son before killing her daughter, court documents reveal
Parmeley now faces a possible death sentence after killing her daughter, Scarlet, as well as her son, Isaac, shown here
The young boy was found in the pool of a water fountain and was pronounced dead by emergency personnel, according the documents.
Given these new aggravating factors, the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday that the murder charge for her son – initially in the second-degree – has been upgraded to murder in the first degree.
Earlier on Wednesday, the prosecutor in St. Francois County also charged Parmeley with first degree murder for the death of her daughter.
New concerns about Parmeley’s mental health also surfaced this past week, since it was revealed that in the hours leading up to her double murder of her own children, she changed her Facebook profile picture to a black screen.
The St. Louis outlet also reported that four years ago, before her son was born, Parmeley posted about ‘struggling with depression.’
‘I isolated myself. I came off as very timid and unfriendly and in all reality, I needed a friend more than anything,’ Parmeley wrote on Facebook. ‘Always questioning if the kids would be happier or better off without me being their primary caregiver because I knew that they deserved a much better role model.’
Law enforcement officers investigate a vehicle that was allegedly driven to Festus City Hall and Police Station on Tuesday by Parmeley in her effort to confess to double murder
Additionally, family court records showed that Parmeley was in a custody battle with Scarlet’s father. The case kicked off when her daughter was born in 2015 and resolved in 2021.
Parmeley also gained custody of her then 11-year-old niece while the case for who’d be Scarlet’s main guardian played out. The niece stayed with Parmeley until she turned 18, KMOV reported.
The Parmeley family, not just Ashley, has a history of extreme violence. Parmeley’s uncle was convicted in the 1999 murder of his parents, who were her grandparents, KMOV reported.
Neighbors of Parmeley spoke out and shared their utter disbelief that her kids are now dead.
Brandy Trask, who lives near the Parmeley home in Festus, told Fox 8 that her daughter played with Scarlet. Trask said she saw the Scarlet every day and didn’t see any signs that she was unhappy or had trouble at home.
‘I can’t fathom why this would happen to anybody, let alone to two sweet children that had nothing but love in their hearts,’ Trask said.
Ginny Russell also has a daughter that played with Scarlet out in the neighborhood.
‘She was just an amazing little girl,’ Russell said of Scarlet.
Parmeley’s family has a history of violence local outlets report. Parmeley’s uncle was convicted in the 1999 murder of his parents, who were her grandparents.
A vigil was held Wednesday evening for both children. All the games at the local Little League fields were canceled except for a softball game Scarlet’s team was playing in.
At the start of the game, her teammates released balloons in her honor, Fox 8 reported.
Scarlet was set to move into fourth grade at Festus Elementary School next year.
‘Scarlet’s teachers and administrators say she was a bubbly, energetic, and trustworthy student. They say she was caring and compassionate, eager to please, with a good sense of humor,’ a statement from the school read.
‘She could make friends with anyone and she was very much looking forward to moving to the 4th grade when classes resume in August.’
Parmeley is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond.
Now that she faces two first degree murder charges, Parmeley could be sentenced to death or life in prison with the possibility of parole.