Kyle Parker, a 22-year-old man convicted of kidnapping, raping, and killing a one-year-old girl in Owen County, Indiana, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison. Parker, a friend of Shaylyn's family, was arrested for her murder, and prosecutors initially recommended the death penalty. However, a plea agreement made earlier this month and accepted by an Owen County court will spare Parker the death penalty and enable him to serve 60 years in jail. With good behavior, that period could be reduced to 45 years. Parker would be 68 years old when he became eligible for release. The case was jeopardized in front of a jury due to witness issues and evidence of searches for violent, pornographic images on electronic devices. Parker's stepfather, Mike Patton, revealed to him that he had burned Shaylyn's garments to cover his tracks.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
… burned Shaylyn's clothes – her own-print sleeper and her pacifier –
in an effort to hide his tracks
Kyle J. Parker. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). S Suburban, IL. December 9, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.
Kyle Joseph Parker: Case Overview
Kyle Joseph Parker is a convicted criminal known for his involvement in the abduction, rape, and murder of 1-year-old Shaylyn Ammerman in March 2016. The case garnered significant media attention due to its tragic nature and the young age of the victim.
Background of the Crime
On March 23, 2016, Shaylyn Ammerman was reported missing from her home in Spencer, Indiana. Her father had last seen her in her crib during the early morning hours after spending time drinking with friends. Following a frantic search that lasted approximately 36 hours, Shaylyn’s body was discovered near the banks of the White River, miles away from her home. An autopsy revealed that she had died from asphyxiation and had suffered severe sexual trauma.
Arrest and Charges
His mother walked into the house one day and found Kyle sitting in a rocking chair drunk, holding Shaylyn in his lap. Kyle liked to watch pornographic movies which featured people being spanked. Police interviewed some of Kyle Parker's other friends, who said he liked pornographic videos with sadistic and masochistic themes, and that Kyle Parker was attracted to younger girls 12 to 14 years old, something Parker denied when he was being questioned by police later.
Kyle Parker, who was a friend of Shaylyn’s family, became a suspect shortly after her body was found. He was arrested and faced multiple charges including murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault. During police investigations, it was reported that Parker confessed to his stepfather about his involvement in Shaylyn’s death and indicated he had attempted to destroy evidence by burning her clothes.
According to court records, the list of charges against Parker were:
Murder
Rape
Child molesting where defendant is at least 21 years of age
Kidnapping
Aggravated battery when defendant is at least 18 years old
Strangulation
Obstruction of justice
Failure to report a dead body
Plea Deal and Sentencing
Initially facing life imprisonment or even the death penalty due to the severity of his crimes, Parker ultimately reached a plea deal with prosecutors. In December 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count each of murder and kidnapping but did not plead guilty to any sex offenses; thus, he would not be required to register as a sex offender. As part of this plea agreement, Parker was sentenced to 60 years in prison. With good behavior, he could potentially serve as little as 45 years before being eligible for release at around age 68.
The decision to accept a plea deal rather than pursue a more severe sentence stemmed from concerns about the strength of evidence against Parker and issues with witness credibility. Owen County Prosecutor Don VanDerMoere expressed that while this outcome might not represent perfect justice for Shaylyn’s family, it was deemed necessary given the circumstances surrounding the case.
"I was hoping for more, but there wasn't enough evidence, I guess. So I think the prosecutor did the best that he could with what he had to do," said Shaylyn's mother, Jessica Stewart.
Conclusion
Kyle Joseph Parker’s case remains a poignant example of violent crime against children and highlights challenges within the legal system regarding evidence and witness reliability. His conviction has left lasting impacts on both the community affected by this tragedy and on discussions surrounding child protection laws.
Parker has a biblical quote tattooed on his chest: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” The line is from Corinthians 5:7. The common interpretation is that “To walk by faith means that you believe God rewards those who seek Him, no matter what anyone else tells you.”
VIDEO: How This Scumbag Got Away With Violating and Killing a Baby | https://youtu.be/220VRfvy7fU
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