A tragic incident unfolded in Missouri when a woman allegedly drowned one of her children and shot another before turning herself in at a police station. The woman, identified as 36-year-old Ashley Parmeley, reportedly walked into the Festus Police Department on Tuesday morning, appearing to be clad in wet clothes and confessed to the horrific crime.
Upon her confession, the police discovered a critically injured girl in Parmeley’s car parked outside the station. Despite immediate attempts at life-saving measures, the 9-year-old child was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities suspect the child was shot while the vehicle was in St. Francois County, near Highway E.
Further investigations led the police to the Timber Creek Resort in a rural part of Festus, where they found Parmeley’s 2-year-old son, who appeared to have drowned. Despite attempts to revive him, the toddler was also declared dead.
In a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy, the police were able to locate a third child, a relative of Parmeley, who was found alive.
Parmeley was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with her son’s death. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also indicated their intention to charge her for her daughter’s death. She is currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond.
While the names of the victims were initially withheld, a letter from Festus schools confirmed the identity of the 9-year-old girl as Scarlet Parmeley. The letter described Scarlet as a “bubbly, energetic, and trustworthy student” who had just completed the third grade at Festus Elementary School.
Local news outlet KMOV-TV reported that prior to the alleged murders, Parmeley had blacked out her social media profile and posted an image supporting the Second Amendment.
Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak, in a media briefing, expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “So many people in our community will be impacted by this. I would ask for additional prayers tonight.”
Festus, a suburb of St. Louis, is home to approximately 12,000 residents.