Scarlet Parmeley was 9 and a third-grader at Festus Elementary School when she was found dead from gunshot wounds in the trunk of her mother’s car outside the Festus Police Department in Missouri. Her death occurred in May 2024 and prompted a memorial outside the police station where community members left tributes. Teachers and friends remembered Scarlet as bubbly, energetic, compassionate, and funny, with interests in softball, dancing, and playing with friends.

Her 2-year-old brother, Isaac Baum, was also found dead that same day; authorities say he had been drowned in a fountain at a nearby resort. Police allege the children’s mother, Ashley Parmeley, walked into the Festus Police Department on the morning of May 28, 2024, and confessed to killing both children, saying she shot Scarlet and drowned Isaac. Investigators believe Scarlet was shot in St. Francois County before Parmeley drove to Timber Creek Resort and drowned Isaac.

Ashley Parmeley was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed criminal action and is being held without bond. Court filings state she has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and that court-ordered evaluations found she was unable to comprehend the wrongfulness of her actions; a judge ordered commitment to the Department of Mental Health and legal proceedings are ongoing. If anyone knew Scarlet or has information about what happened that day, please come forward.