FESTUS, Mo. — A 36-year-old woman was charged after police said she admitted to fatally shooting one of her children and drowning another in Festus.
Ashley Parmeley was initially charged Tuesday with one count of second-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old son; after obtaining additional information from investigators, prosecutors announced Wednesday that the charge had been upgraded to first-degree murder.
Also on Wednesday, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Parmeley with one count each of first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of her 9-year-old daughter.
In a press conference, Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak said the woman called police from the parking lot of the Festus Police Department at about 10:30 a.m. and said she shot one of her children and drowned the other. The woman was wet and "a little disheveled" when officers met her in the parking lot, Marshak said.
"This situation is a tragedy for our community. It's a tragedy for the family and the victims and anybody that knows this family," said Marshak.
When officers responded to the car, they found a 9-year-old girl in the trunk with a gunshot wound.
The girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Police recovered a firearm from the woman's vehicle. According to a probable cause statement, Parmeley told police she was driving on Highway E in St. Francois County and pulled over near a lake or pond, where she shot her daughter. Police obtained footage from a nearby camera which showed Parmeley's vehicle at the location, and witnesses in the area reported hearing a gunshot at the time her vehicle was there.
The Festus R-VI School District on Tuesday confirmed the 9-year-old victim was Scarlet Parmeley, who had just completed third grade at Festus Elementary School. Counselors would be available Wednesday and Thursday at the elementary school for students and staff members who need support during the difficult time, the district said in a statement.
Marshak said the woman told police that she drowned the other child at a resort in the area. Officers responded to Timber Creek Resort which matched the woman's description. In a fountain in front of the resort, they found a 2-year-old boy unconscious and not breathing. A deputy swam to the boy, brought him to shore and attempted life-saving treatment, but the child was pronounced dead a short time later.
A GoFundMe page was created to help cover the boy's funeral costs.
Marshak could not confirm whether the woman was staying at the resort but said she was part of the Festus community.
"We take their well-being very seriously. The Sheriff's Office immediately dispatched our mental health and crisis response team, along with chaplains, to support those officers and all the other first responders who were negatively impacted by this and will continue for some time. I spoke with one of the officers regarding the crime scene out here earlier, and he said, 'Sheriff, this was a tough one,'" Marshak said.
Police believe the woman who admitted to killing the children was their mother. He said he believes the woman shot the 9-year-old before drowning the 2-year-old.
Marshak said his department had originally been working to locate another child who the woman had once had custody of, and that child was later found safe.
He asked for prayers for the family, the victims, and the community.
"I know it's impacting this community. I walked into a business earlier, and everybody was talking about it, saying it's disruptive and it's unsettling for our community. It's such a tragedy," Marshak said.
The children had both been "well and accounted for" Monday night and were both alive earlier in the morning, Marshak said.
Police have not released a motive yet.
Parmeley was being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond.
A GoFundMe campaign was created to help cover funeral costs for Scarlet. You can donate here.
The Festus R-VI School District issued the following statement Tuesday:
It is with sadness and heavy hearts that the Festus R-VI School District can confirm that Scarlet Parmeley, who was the 9-year-old victim of today's tragic events, had just successfully completed 3rd grade at Festus Elementary School. 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. She could make friends with anyone, and she was very much looking forward to moving on to the 4th grade when classes resume in August.
The thoughts and prayers of the entire Festus R-VI School District are with Scarlet's family and friends during this difficult time. In times of such sorrow, it is important to come together to support one another. We have arranged for grief counselors to be available at Festus Elementary for any students and staff members who may need assistance. These professionals will provide support and help those affected to navigate through this difficult period. Our district counselors along with counselors from Compass Health will be available for students and staff tomorrow (Wednesday) from 10 a.m. - noon at the elementary school and on Thursday during summer school.
The Holiday Inn Club Vacations, which operates Timber Creek Resort, provided the following statement on Wednesday:
Along with the rest of the community, we were heartbroken to learn about this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends during this tremendously difficult time.
At this time, we are fully cooperating with law enforcement and have taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of our guests and staff. As this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide further details.
Our primary concern remains the well-being of our guests and staff, and we are doing everything possible to support those affected.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (BRIC) is a community-based clinic in St. Louis that helps people heal after they have been injured by a bullet. The BRIC was established to help people who are discharged from the emergency department after being shot.
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