Horror as mom drowns son, 2, in a fountain then shoots dead nine-year-old daughter in car outside police station before making shock confession to cops
- Authorities believe both children were killed Tuesday morning
- Officers searched for a third child who has been found safe
- The mother has only been charged with one of the murders so far
A 36-year-old woman walked into a Missouri police station on Tuesday morning to tell officers that she had shot her daughter, 9, dead, leaving her in a car outside of the building, and that she drowned her son, 2, earlier that day, authorities say.
Ashley Parmeley, 36, has been charged with the second-degree murder of her son, Isaac, while investigators prepare charges relating to the death of her daughter, Scarlett. The car was seen outside of the station around 10:30am local time.
Shortly after Parmeley's confession, police frantically began searching for her son. The search came to a tragic end when he was found dead in a fountain close to the Timber Creek Resort on the outskirts of St. Louis, 13 miles from the station.
Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak said officers searched for a third child who has been found safe. 'So many people in our community will be impacted by this,' Marshak told the media. Officials have not released a motive for the horrific crime.
Marshak said that investigators so far thinking that the daughter was shot dead in a residential suburban area before the drowning. The police station is located in Festus, just south of St. Louis.
Ashley Parmeley, 36, shown here, has been charged with the second-degree murder of her son while investigators prepare charges relating to the death of her daughter
Prosecutors are preparing charges for Parmeley involving the death of her daughter, Scarlet, as well as her son, Isaac, shown here
The sheriff described Parmeley as having 'strong ties' to the local community and said that he didn't think that she had ever been in trouble with the law before.
When she arrived at the police station, Parmeley's clothes were described as 'wet' and 'disheveled.'
The Timber Creek resort is owned by Holiday Inn and offers kayaking, golf and hiking, according to its website. The facility was closed on Tuesday as the investigation continued, reports The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Photos published by the Associated Press showed a silver Mazda SUV with a Missouri license plate being searched by police on Tuesday. Among the items pulled from the car was a bloody beach towel, the Post-Dispatch reports.
Officials are set to give an update in the case on Wednesday morning.
Parmeley's daughter was named as Scarlett in a press release from Festus Elementary School. The release said that she had just completed the third grade.
'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,' the statement 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. '
When she arrived at the police station, Parmeley's clothes were described as 'wet' and 'disheveled'
Law enforcement officers investigate a vehicle that was driven to Festus City Hall and Police Station, Tuesday morning, May 28, 2024, in Festus, Mo., by a woman who allegedly told officers she killed two of her children
Law enforcement officers investigate a vehicle that was driven to Festus City Hall and Police Station, Tuesday morning
A local resident, Chrissy Cain, who left flowers outside of the police station told Fox St. Louis: 'We just can’t stop thinking about it.' A woman who was with Cain, Kaitlynn Wiley: 'I have three kids. I just can't imagine.'
'We’re all praying for you, and I’m so sorry that this happened. My prayers and thoughts are with you for sure,' Wiley added.
Another family friend told the station that Scarlett enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and softball.
Parmeley is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without pond. Second-degree murder carries a penalty of 10 to 30 years in prison.
Marshak told the media Tuesday that the children were accounted for and alive-and-well on Monday. The other child associated with the case was also accounted for and seen with the victims the day before the tragedy.
On the morning of May 28, Parmeley changed her Facebook profile photo to show a plain black image. Another of her most recently viewable posts is a meme with a picture of an assault rifle with the words 'Shall Not Be Infringed.'
Parmeley is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without pond. Second-degree murder carries a penalty of 10 to 30 years in prison
A pro-gun meme posted to Parmeley's Facebook page in July 2022
Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak speaks during a news conference at Festus City Hall, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in Festus
