Missouri mother turns herself in after killing 2-year-old son, 9-year-old daughter following attempted child sacrifice

A Missouri mother confessed to killing her two children after telling police she had attempted to “sacrifice” her two-year-old son. The mother now faces life in prison or the death penalty. 

Ashley Parmeley, 36, of Festus, claimed to have shot and killed her nine-year-old daughter Scarlet after trying to sacrifice her son, Isaac, court documents obtained by Fox 8 show. 

Investigators said that Parmeley put her two kids in the car after killing Scarlet and began driving north when she noticed Isaac was still alive. Parmeley then admitted she killed Isaac by drowning him at the Timber Creek Resort, located on the outskirts of St. Louis. 

Emergency personnel discovered Isaac's dead body in the pool of a water, records show. Parmeley walked into the Festus Police Department last week and confessed to the killings. She has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Authorities believe she might have been suffering from mental health issues. Ashley has stated on Facebook in the past that she has suffered from depression. Her neighbor, Brandy Trask, told Fox 8 that she saw Parmeley nearly every day and didn't see signs of trouble. 

“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 added.  

In addition, family court records reveal that she was in a custody battle with her daughter's father in prior years. The case was resolved in 2021.  

Ashley Parmeley's family also has a history of extreme violence. KMOV reported that her uncle was convicted of killing his parents in 1999, who were Ashley's grandparents. Parmeley is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond. The charges are punishable with death or life in prison with the possibility of parole.