HILLSBORO, Mo. – A Jefferson County woman who admitted killing her two children in 2024 appeared in court on Wednesday to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.

The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Ashley Parmeley walked into the Festus Police Department on May 28, 2024, and confessed to killing her children—Scarlet, 9, and her brother, Isaac, 2.

Parmeley told police she shot Scarlet, who was found in Parmeley’s car outside the police station. Despite efforts to save her, Scarlet died at the scene.

Parmeley then directed officers to Timber Creek Resort near DeSoto, where they found her son, Isaac, in a fountain near the entrance. He was pronounced dead as well.

Prosecutors charged Parmeley with two counts of first-degree murder and armed criminal action.

At the req

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