JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — On Sunday afternoon, the Jefferson County community and beyond came together for the families of 9-year-old Scarlet Parmeley-Daugherty and 2-year-old Isaac Baum. Both children were tragically killed on Tuesday.
The Bullpen Sports Grill hosted a benefit and silent auction to raise money for their grieving families to assist with funeral costs and other needs.
The restaurant and bar donated 20% of Sunday’s sales to both families. It also held a silent auction.
On Sunday, 5 On Your Side sat down with both children’s fathers, Jason Daugherty and Michael Baum, for the first time.
“They were peas in a pod. And they just loved each other,” Scarlet’s father, Jason Daugherty, said.
Through both of these fathers’ eyes, their children, Scarlet and Isaac, were nothing short of perfect.
But authorities said their lives were cut short at the hands of the woman who gave them life.
As these two fathers sat together on the bed of a truck, the words were sometimes hard to find as this tragedy weighed heavily on their hearts. But they want to push it aside so others can see what they saw.
“They were all love and there was no negativity with either one of those kids, and I know they wouldn't want any negativity now. So we need to push the negativity out and bring them up,” Daugherty said.
Baum said his son was such a sweet and curious boy—picking up sticks, rocks and even the cross he wore around his neck.
Baum said he would never forget the moment the unbreakable bond between Scarlet and Isaac began two years ago.
“As soon as he got home from the hospital, Scarlet just would not leave his side,” Baum said.
He recalled the way Isaac would run up to him to give larger-than-life hugs.
Daugherty said now, they're holding on to each other as love and prayer will get them through this.
“There’s nothing but happiness for both of them now, and they're both together. They'll be together forever, and there's strength in faith. And I've just found so much power through faith knowing that my daughter and her brother are in heaven,” Daugherty said.
He said Scarlet wanted to be the best at whatever she was doing, from softball to gymnastics to everyday life lessons in the garden.
“It was my first time really gardening, and so it just really prospered. I think now it was because I wasn't going to be able to get to do it with her again. But we had so much fun,” Daugherty said.
They said Scarlet and Isaac certainly had the most fun together.
“Both of the kids loved anything that moved. If it moved, they wanted to be on it. And Scarlett, when she got the chance, she would want to have her brother on it. Whether it was driving a lawnmower around or...” Daugherty said, his thought trailing off, “She just wanted her brother to be able to move with her.”
Baum remembered playing with the two of them out in the yard.
“I taught (Scarlet) how to ride my riding lawn mower, and the first thing she wanted to do was put (Isaac) on her lap,” Baum said.
While they're no longer here with them physically, Daugherty said Scarlet and Isaac are forever in their hearts until they meet again.
“I wish I had more time. But I'm glad that I'm going to have eternity. And that's what's important. And I know Michael feels the same way,” Daugherty said.
Scarlet’s funeral service is Monday, and Isaac’s funeral service is on Tuesday. Both are private for family and loved ones.
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