Jefferson County Mother Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity in Deaths of Two Children

Jefferson Co., Mo. (KFMO) - The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reports that on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Ashely Parmeley entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her two children on May 28, 2024.

According to Missouri law, a person suffering from a mental disease or defect at the time of a crime, rendering them unable to understand the nature or wrongfulness of their actions, cannot be held criminally responsible.

Parmeley’s attorney requested an evaluation by an independent forensic examiner, who determined she was incapable of comprehending the wrongfulness of her actions during the incident. First Assistant Prosecutor Courtney Goodwin then sought a second opinion from the Missouri Department of Mental Health, which reached the same conclusion.

Following the evaluations, Judge Joseph Rathert ordered Parmeley committed to the Department of Mental Health.