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[female narrator]
a peaceful afternoon
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00:00:11,212 --> 00:00:13,845
Erupts in chaos
when young siblings come home
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00:00:13,847 --> 00:00:16,648
To the unthinkable.
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00:00:16,717 --> 00:00:18,049
We open up the door
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00:00:18,119 --> 00:00:20,519
And that's when I noticed
the pool of blood.
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We've got a young mother whose
been executed, and a baby gone.
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00:00:27,461 --> 00:00:29,061
[narrator]
while a desperate search
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00:00:29,129 --> 00:00:33,565
For a newborn baby ensues,
red flags begin to surface.
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He had brought his co-worker
over to meet the baby.
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And my mom wasn't very happy.
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He said,
I really didn't want to tell you
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Because I thought you would
think that this was involved.
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[narrator]
and police find the truth
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00:00:48,849 --> 00:00:51,483
Is stranger than fiction.
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She was a clown that performed
at birthday parties.
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It looked as if she might have
been shopping for a baby.
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[peggy]
she came in with the baby,
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And the hair stood up
on the back of my neck.
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It was time to either confess
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That she wasn't telling
the truth or get a baby,
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She chose the latter.
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[music]
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[music]
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[narrator] lehigh acres, just
outside of fort myers florida,
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Is a well-kept haven
with a small-town vibe.
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Lehigh acres is the eastern
portion of the county.
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At the time in the late '80s
early '90s
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It wasn't heavily populated.
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Growing up in lehigh,
we were pretty secluded.
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We spent a lot of time outside.
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It was a good life.
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[narrator] that childhood
innocence comes to a tragic end
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On March 29, 1990,
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When six-year-old twins
jacob and joshua parker
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Return home from school.
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[jacob]
I remember me and my brother
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Getting off the school bus.
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Something at school
that day happened.
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We wanted to hurry up and get
home and tell mom about it.
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We got home, opened up the door
and just hi mom we're home.
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I happened to see her slumped
over the side of the chair.
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I thought she was asleep
at first,
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That's when I noticed
the pool of blood in the floor.
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Then I noticed the gunshot wound
to her head.
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We're both just kinda
standing there,
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A couple of six years olds.
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We don't fully understand
what's going on.
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Then things just started
clicking.
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[narrator] scared and confused,
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The brothers look around
for their newborn sister, julie
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[joshua]
we had a ten-day old sister.
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You know she should've been
crying;
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She should've been there.
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We walked through the house;
we couldn't find her.
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[narrator] at a loss,
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The twins wait outside
for their 14-year-old sister,
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Heather, to return home.
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[jacob]
we didn't know what to do.
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We went back outside.
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Waited for heather
to get off the bus.
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[heather]
I got off my school bus
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And my brothers were standing
there waiting for me.
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[joshua] she was like,
why are you guys out here?
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And so, we go,
we think moms dead.
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And she freaks out.
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[heather]
when I opened my front door,
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I could see my mom
in the recliner.
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I was only fourteen years old,
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So when I came in the house
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And saw my mom
and I saw the blood
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I really didn't know
what had happened.
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I didn't know if she was shot
or stabbed or attacked.
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I could just tell
that my mom was gone
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And that my sister was missing.
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I ran to every room in the hous
and looked for her everywhere
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And I couldn't find her.
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I picked up the phone
to call 9-1-1.
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And then, I took my brothers
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And started walking
to our babysitter's house
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Because it was within
walking distance to us.
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[narrator]
the babysitter quickly tries
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To contact the children's
father, gary parker at work.
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When the first responders
arrive,
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They immediately determine
there is nothing they can do,
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And detectives are called
to the parker home.
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[jim] word came in from patrol
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That they had a dead body
in lehigh acres.
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Detectives were dispatched.
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Les partington was one of them,
I was one of them.
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00:05:03,470 --> 00:05:06,905
[les] we found sharon
in a recliner.
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We were told the baby
was missing.
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Without disturbing
the whole scene,
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We certainly checked the house
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00:05:12,112 --> 00:05:15,514
To make sure that the child
wasn't there.
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Where is the child?
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Something was terribly wrong.
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[jack] who could
fathom stealing a baby.
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It was a nightmare.
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[narrator] as an apb goes out
for the missing newborn,
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Investigators take a closer loo
at sharon's body for clues.
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[joseph]
she was leaned over to the left
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And there was also blood
dripping off of her head area,
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Down onto the carpet.
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[jim] you could see
that there was
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A wound in the back of the head
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It appears to be
a gunshot wound.
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We had a kidnapping,
and we had a murder.
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In this case
it's all hands-on deck.
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[jim] when it started,
everybody's a suspect.
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There was a hurried rush
to get people searching
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For sharon parker's child
immediately.
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We went to the family.
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We went to neighbors.
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We went everywhere
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Trying to figure out
who was responsible for this.
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[narrator]
born and raised in florida,
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Sharon parker always thrived
on strong family ties.
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My mom had two sisters,
and a brother.
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In the '60s, and '70s, my mom
was always very in fashion.
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She loved music, so she went
to concerts, and things,
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With her friends.
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[narrator] in 1976,
at the age of 19,
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Sharon's life took
an unexpected turn
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When she discovered
she was pregnant
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With a baby girl
she later named heather.
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[heather] my mom, and dad,
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Got married right out
of high school.
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We lived in alabama,
where I was born,
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And we had a little house.
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They were very young,
but she was a great mom.
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They were only married
for the three years,
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And then they got a divorce.
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And she, and I,
moved to florida.
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My mother was
a billing coordinator
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At charter glade hospital,
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But really her job
was to be a mom.
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That's what she loved doing.
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[narrator] the young mother
didn't stay single for long.
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In 1983 sharon's mother
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Introduced her to
an eligible bachelor,
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A contractor named gary parker.
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He was a hardworking man.
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Dad worked for lee builders.
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And he was a supervisor,
he was a carpenter,
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House builder.
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They started dating,
and were married soon after,
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When I was in first grade.
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They would go out
every Friday night,
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If they were in an argument
or something,
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She would get flowers.
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I loved gary, my mom loved him.
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He loved her.
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[narrator]
a year after the wedding,
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The budding parker family tree
blossomed with twin sons,
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Joshua and jacob.
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[joshua] me and jake have always
had the mentality
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Of me and him against the world.
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Heather was our second mom.
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We always called her sissy.
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We always loved our sissy.
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[narrator] in the late 80s,
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The family of five settled
into the peaceful enclave
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Of lehigh, florida, and embrace
the smalltown vibes.
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[heather] we did a lot of things
together as a family outside.
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We did camping out
in the backyard, in tents.
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We had a pool
for the summertime.
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[joshua]
I remember those days,
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We just all be out there
smiles and laughs,
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Fire, hot dogs, marshmallows.
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00:09:03,977 --> 00:09:08,513
My mother and I loved music
and we used to sing
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00:09:08,581 --> 00:09:11,149
On Saturday mornings
when we were cleaning the house
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Into our hairbrushes.
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[narrator] in 1990 the young
parents announced exciting news
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Sharon was expecting
another daughter.
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When mom told us that she was
pregnant again, with julie,
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I was a teenager.
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Gary was very excited
to have another baby,
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And josh and jake
couldn't wait.
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[narrator] on March 19,
baby julie was born
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A healthy seven pounds
with a full head of dark hair.
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[heather] I was super excited .
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Mother and I were looking
forward to having another girl,
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And we did.
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[narrator] only ten days later
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00:10:01,001 --> 00:10:04,869
The family home is the scene
of chaos and confusion.
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00:10:07,207 --> 00:10:11,343
After finding their mother dead
and their baby sister missing,
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00:10:11,411 --> 00:10:15,113
Heather, joshua and jacob
wait at a neighbor's home.
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00:10:15,181 --> 00:10:18,416
At 4:40pm
their father gary arrives.
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00:10:23,256 --> 00:10:26,257
As soon as he got word
of what happened, he raced home.
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00:10:26,326 --> 00:10:28,627
I watched him run
into the house.
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00:10:28,695 --> 00:10:30,562
He was...In shock.
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00:10:30,630 --> 00:10:32,397
I mean, as you can imagine.
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00:10:32,465 --> 00:10:34,132
Uncontrollably crying.
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00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:36,701
[jim] according to the husband,
nothing was taken relating
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00:10:36,770 --> 00:10:38,136
To the care of the baby.
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[narrator] gary quickly notices
one item is missing,
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00:10:44,611 --> 00:10:48,946
A banner that reads
"it's a girl."
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He said it was a traditional
celebratory,
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00:10:53,086 --> 00:10:54,986
Uh, banner of a new child.
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00:10:55,055 --> 00:10:57,355
A longer banner,
maybe six feet long.
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[narrator]
investigators excuse gary
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00:11:00,660 --> 00:11:03,161
To reunite with his children.
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00:11:03,229 --> 00:11:06,064
[jacob] he took us all
in his arms and...Held us.
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00:11:06,132 --> 00:11:08,199
I don't think he really
could say much in that moment.
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00:11:12,605 --> 00:11:16,875
[narrator] for police,
there is no time to waste.
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00:11:16,877 --> 00:11:18,209
[jim] we had children emotional.
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00:11:18,278 --> 00:11:21,513
We had a husband who was
completely broken up.
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00:11:21,581 --> 00:11:24,448
Um, we've got a, a young mother
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00:11:24,450 --> 00:11:28,086
Whose been executed
in the house and a baby gone.
210
00:11:28,154 --> 00:11:31,189
The baby would not survive long
on its own if it was just left
211
00:11:31,257 --> 00:11:33,858
Without any type
of parental care.
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00:11:33,926 --> 00:11:35,493
Given the urgency of this crime
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00:11:35,562 --> 00:11:37,896
Police knew they had to find it
immediately.
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00:11:39,566 --> 00:11:41,432
[jim] we couldn't find the baby.
215
00:11:41,501 --> 00:11:43,301
Was the baby taken out?
216
00:11:43,369 --> 00:11:44,302
Was it dumped?
217
00:11:44,370 --> 00:11:46,571
Is it gonna be ransom?
218
00:11:46,639 --> 00:11:47,939
We didn't know.
219
00:11:48,007 --> 00:11:49,440
The captain says
what do you need?
220
00:11:49,442 --> 00:11:51,009
And I said everything.
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00:11:54,647 --> 00:11:55,847
[narrator] coming up...
222
00:11:55,915 --> 00:11:58,349
A community is on edge...
223
00:11:58,418 --> 00:12:02,153
We had everybody that was
available out searching.
224
00:12:02,222 --> 00:12:04,922
[narrator]
until a bizarre tip pays off.
225
00:12:04,991 --> 00:12:06,691
I was looking at the baby,
226
00:12:06,759 --> 00:12:08,593
I could tell
she had shaved her head.
227
00:12:11,497 --> 00:12:15,166
[music]
228
00:12:19,338 --> 00:12:22,373
[music]
229
00:12:24,144 --> 00:12:26,478
[narrator] less than an hour
after finding mother of four,
230
00:12:26,546 --> 00:12:29,713
Sharon parker,
dead from a gunshot wound,
231
00:12:29,715 --> 00:12:32,917
The search for her newborn
is in high gear.
232
00:12:34,387 --> 00:12:37,989
We had a murder and what
appeared to be a kidnapping.
233
00:12:38,057 --> 00:12:40,058
[les] when you do have
a missing baby,
234
00:12:40,126 --> 00:12:44,662
You have all the issues
of the child getting food.
235
00:12:44,731 --> 00:12:45,863
Is the child safe?
236
00:12:45,932 --> 00:12:47,298
Is it sheltered?
237
00:12:47,367 --> 00:12:50,034
A lot of missing kid's cases,
238
00:12:50,103 --> 00:12:52,870
They turn up under beds,
in closets.
239
00:12:52,939 --> 00:12:57,108
So, we certainly checked the
cars and things of that nature.
240
00:13:00,313 --> 00:13:04,515
There was a hurried rush to get
people searching for the child.
241
00:13:04,584 --> 00:13:06,384
We had helicopters,
242
00:13:06,452 --> 00:13:11,055
We probably had least half
of the department out.
243
00:13:11,124 --> 00:13:14,192
We had everybody that was
available out searching.
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00:13:18,565 --> 00:13:20,765
[narrator]
as part of the on-foot search,
245
00:13:20,834 --> 00:13:23,367
Detectives reach out
to neighbors.
246
00:13:23,369 --> 00:13:27,571
One reports seeing a suspicious
vehicle around 9:45
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00:13:27,573 --> 00:13:29,440
That morning.
248
00:13:29,442 --> 00:13:30,908
[jim] she told investigators
249
00:13:30,977 --> 00:13:33,344
That a faded red
hatchback vehicle
250
00:13:33,413 --> 00:13:37,448
Pulled up into
the parker driveway.
251
00:13:37,517 --> 00:13:39,283
[narrator]
according to the witness,
252
00:13:39,352 --> 00:13:42,653
A woman got out of the vehicle
and went inside the home.
253
00:13:44,490 --> 00:13:48,692
She had dark hair, approximately
five eight to five nine.
254
00:13:48,762 --> 00:13:52,630
[narrator] now, law enforcement
must prioritize tracking down
255
00:13:52,698 --> 00:13:55,233
The mystery visitor.
256
00:13:55,301 --> 00:13:56,500
[jim]
we did a composite on the face
257
00:13:56,569 --> 00:13:58,002
And although it was
from a distance,
258
00:13:58,004 --> 00:13:59,571
It gave us
a basic starting point
259
00:13:59,639 --> 00:14:03,608
And that went to the news media
who put it out that day.
260
00:14:08,414 --> 00:14:10,114
[narrator]
as the search continues,
261
00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:13,117
Crime scene techs process
the parker home,
262
00:14:13,186 --> 00:14:15,286
Starting with sharon's body.
263
00:14:16,389 --> 00:14:18,422
I noticed blood
on the top of her head,
264
00:14:18,491 --> 00:14:22,026
So I assumed it was
a small caliber gunshot.
265
00:14:22,094 --> 00:14:24,662
All indications to me,
as a crime scene technician was
266
00:14:24,731 --> 00:14:26,464
She died pretty quick.
267
00:14:26,532 --> 00:14:30,101
You're checking the house to see
if there was any forced entry.
268
00:14:30,169 --> 00:14:32,136
You're checking to see
if there's obvious theft
269
00:14:32,205 --> 00:14:34,272
That may have occurred.
270
00:14:34,340 --> 00:14:36,174
[joseph]
nothing appeared out of place.
271
00:14:36,242 --> 00:14:37,808
It would indicate, to us,
272
00:14:37,877 --> 00:14:41,279
That the person
was either known, or invited in.
273
00:14:42,515 --> 00:14:45,649
[jim] she had one leg
tucked under the other,
274
00:14:45,719 --> 00:14:48,186
Which meant she was comfortable
in the environment.
275
00:14:48,254 --> 00:14:50,821
She absolutely knew
the perpetrator.
276
00:14:55,561 --> 00:14:57,295
[narrator] investigators
head to the station
277
00:14:57,363 --> 00:15:00,364
Where the parker family
is waiting.
278
00:15:00,433 --> 00:15:03,301
Fourteen-year-old heather
is accompanied by her aunt
279
00:15:03,369 --> 00:15:06,604
Into the interrogation room.
280
00:15:06,672 --> 00:15:10,942
[les] I wanted to interview the
14-year-old daughter, heather.
281
00:15:11,010 --> 00:15:13,377
You hear things
that go on with family
282
00:15:13,446 --> 00:15:16,347
And you know what's going on
in that house.
283
00:15:16,416 --> 00:15:18,015
She was very composed.
284
00:15:18,084 --> 00:15:20,984
She's very smart and articulate
285
00:15:20,986 --> 00:15:25,623
I asked her background
information about the family.
286
00:15:25,691 --> 00:15:27,325
[narrator] instinctively,
287
00:15:27,393 --> 00:15:30,561
Detectives press young heather
for anything she can offer
288
00:15:30,630 --> 00:15:33,364
And she gives them compelling
information.
289
00:15:38,270 --> 00:15:40,471
[heather] a few days before
my mom was murdered
290
00:15:40,540 --> 00:15:43,207
Someone gary worked with,
named stephanie,
291
00:15:43,276 --> 00:15:47,411
Had come to the house
to meet the baby.
292
00:15:47,413 --> 00:15:49,012
While she was there,
293
00:15:49,014 --> 00:15:52,182
My mother came to talk to me
because she wasn't very happy
294
00:15:52,184 --> 00:15:53,451
That he had brought
his co-worker
295
00:15:53,519 --> 00:15:54,685
Over to meet the baby.
296
00:15:56,589 --> 00:16:01,525
[narrator] according to heather,
stephanie was gary's supervisor
297
00:16:01,527 --> 00:16:04,362
[les] heather said they spent
a lotta time together.
298
00:16:04,430 --> 00:16:07,531
And that her mother,
heather's mother,
299
00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:10,334
Was at times upset over that.
300
00:16:10,336 --> 00:16:13,371
And so there was
an ongoing issue.
301
00:16:14,607 --> 00:16:17,575
Heather would hear her mother
and her stepfather,
302
00:16:17,643 --> 00:16:20,844
Argue sometimes
about the amount of time
303
00:16:20,846 --> 00:16:23,447
That the father was spending
with his boss.
304
00:16:23,516 --> 00:16:26,584
They even traveled to daytona.
305
00:16:26,652 --> 00:16:28,419
[hather]
I believe I was in shock.
306
00:16:28,488 --> 00:16:30,154
As an adult, I understand.
307
00:16:30,223 --> 00:16:32,256
But as a child
I didn't understand
308
00:16:32,325 --> 00:16:34,592
Why I was being asked
all those questions.
309
00:16:39,265 --> 00:16:42,132
[narrator] now eager to hear
directly from gary,
310
00:16:42,202 --> 00:16:44,735
Investigators interview
him next.
311
00:16:46,872 --> 00:16:48,238
Was he at work all day?
312
00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:49,373
Who can verify that?
313
00:16:49,442 --> 00:16:51,775
Where was he?
What was he doing?
314
00:16:51,845 --> 00:16:56,280
Gary gave his alibi where he was
and gary stated that,
315
00:16:56,349 --> 00:16:58,782
Um, during the time
of this offense,
316
00:16:58,784 --> 00:17:02,019
He was at work
and then at a bar.
317
00:17:02,088 --> 00:17:03,487
During the interview,
318
00:17:03,556 --> 00:17:07,224
I asked gary if there was
any financial issues?
319
00:17:07,293 --> 00:17:09,993
Any indicators that would be
stressors?
320
00:17:10,063 --> 00:17:14,965
And we found nothing, uh,
that was significant.
321
00:17:15,034 --> 00:17:17,501
[narrator] and when police press
gary about his work,
322
00:17:17,570 --> 00:17:19,770
He makes no mention
of stephanie.
323
00:17:21,574 --> 00:17:24,442
He wasn't forthcoming and then
toward the end of the interview,
324
00:17:24,510 --> 00:17:27,245
I somewhat challenged him
325
00:17:27,247 --> 00:17:30,548
Regarding his relationship
with his boss.
326
00:17:34,220 --> 00:17:37,555
He said, I really didn't want
to tell you about my boss.
327
00:17:37,623 --> 00:17:38,822
And those things that went on
328
00:17:38,824 --> 00:17:43,260
Because I thought you would
think that this was involved.
329
00:17:43,329 --> 00:17:45,596
Gary was spending a lot of time
with his boss.
330
00:17:45,665 --> 00:17:47,365
But there was never
any information
331
00:17:47,433 --> 00:17:49,500
That they had a relationship.
332
00:17:51,604 --> 00:17:53,537
And he said and I also
forgot to tell you,
333
00:17:53,539 --> 00:17:56,207
I do have a small caliber
firearm under the seat
334
00:17:56,275 --> 00:17:57,608
In my truck outside.
335
00:17:59,512 --> 00:18:02,079
And that was important,
because we obviously knew
336
00:18:02,147 --> 00:18:05,216
That it was a small caliber
type pistol that was used
337
00:18:05,284 --> 00:18:07,551
In this crime.
338
00:18:07,620 --> 00:18:11,322
But he gave me the firearm,
turned it over to us.
339
00:18:11,390 --> 00:18:14,191
[narrator] after more
than three hours of questioning
340
00:18:14,260 --> 00:18:16,293
Police let gary go.
341
00:18:18,798 --> 00:18:21,098
We couldn't eliminate him
because of the fact
342
00:18:21,166 --> 00:18:25,336
That he did have a firearm
and that he wasn't 100% truthful
343
00:18:25,404 --> 00:18:26,804
In the beginning.
344
00:18:32,878 --> 00:18:36,079
[narrator] the next day
investigators gain more insight
345
00:18:36,149 --> 00:18:37,648
When the medical examiner
346
00:18:37,717 --> 00:18:40,417
Confirms sharon's cause
of death.
347
00:18:40,486 --> 00:18:41,585
It wasn't point blank,
348
00:18:41,587 --> 00:18:45,022
But it was a close range shot
to the back of the head.
349
00:18:45,091 --> 00:18:46,790
The projectile was retrieved
350
00:18:46,859 --> 00:18:51,595
From, um, mrs. Parker's head
area, was a 25 caliber.
351
00:18:51,597 --> 00:18:53,130
[narrator]
which means the pistol
352
00:18:53,132 --> 00:18:57,268
Sharon's husband gary
turned over to police, a .22,
353
00:18:57,336 --> 00:19:00,037
Is not the murder weapon.
354
00:19:00,106 --> 00:19:03,607
Gary's alibi also checks out.
355
00:19:03,609 --> 00:19:06,310
He was at work and then at a bar
356
00:19:06,379 --> 00:19:09,413
And all that was checked
and he in fact was.
357
00:19:10,616 --> 00:19:11,749
[narrator]
gary's boss, stephanie,
358
00:19:11,817 --> 00:19:15,919
Is also interviewed and reveals
she too was at work
359
00:19:15,921 --> 00:19:18,422
Eliminating both of them
as suspects.
360
00:19:22,728 --> 00:19:28,632
With no apparent leads, the hun
for baby julie turns desperate.
361
00:19:28,701 --> 00:19:31,735
I remember sitting on the couch
with dad, you know,
362
00:19:31,737 --> 00:19:35,806
And we're just,
when's mommy coming home?
363
00:19:35,808 --> 00:19:38,876
You know we thought that the
hospital was gonna fix her up.
364
00:19:38,944 --> 00:19:42,813
My family tried to keep me
from watching the news.
365
00:19:42,882 --> 00:19:45,082
I knew that they
were having roadblocks
366
00:19:45,151 --> 00:19:46,984
And there was a search.
367
00:19:47,053 --> 00:19:53,256
I had, um, almost been able
to think that maybe
368
00:19:53,258 --> 00:19:54,992
None of this was real.
369
00:19:55,060 --> 00:19:58,862
It just kind of hit home that
our mom wasn't coming back.
370
00:20:00,966 --> 00:20:05,202
[jim] we enlisted and asked
for help from the public.
371
00:20:05,271 --> 00:20:06,403
We have a murder.
372
00:20:06,472 --> 00:20:08,239
We have a child that's missing.
373
00:20:08,307 --> 00:20:09,873
If anybody reports
anything unusual
374
00:20:09,942 --> 00:20:12,176
Contact sheriff's office
immediately.
375
00:20:16,949 --> 00:20:18,149
[narrator]
the media blitz initiated
376
00:20:18,217 --> 00:20:21,452
By the sheriff's department
soon has their phones ringing
377
00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:23,954
Off the hook.
378
00:20:24,023 --> 00:20:26,457
We got over 100 leads.
379
00:20:26,525 --> 00:20:29,960
[jim] every one of them had
to be tracked down.
380
00:20:30,029 --> 00:20:32,863
We had to get agents
or detectives to go out
381
00:20:32,865 --> 00:20:37,301
And confirm or deny whether or
not every one of them was valid.
382
00:20:37,369 --> 00:20:38,769
[narrator] but to investigators,
383
00:20:38,838 --> 00:20:42,806
There is one remaining lead
that stands out.
384
00:20:42,875 --> 00:20:45,576
[les] out of all the tips
and leads that came in,
385
00:20:45,644 --> 00:20:49,280
One tip came in that there was
a person that worked
386
00:20:49,348 --> 00:20:51,015
At perkins restaurant.
387
00:20:51,083 --> 00:20:54,451
His wife had claimed
to have just had a baby .
388
00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:56,854
But she didn't look like
she had been pregnant.
389
00:21:00,926 --> 00:21:03,927
[music]
390
00:21:08,266 --> 00:21:10,868
[music]
391
00:21:12,905 --> 00:21:16,540
[narrator] within 24 hours
of the murder of sharon parker,
392
00:21:16,609 --> 00:21:19,677
One tip has caught the eye
of law enforcement.
393
00:21:21,580 --> 00:21:23,881
Investigators speak
to the tipster,
394
00:21:23,949 --> 00:21:27,050
An employee at the chain
restaurant "perkins",
395
00:21:27,119 --> 00:21:28,819
Peggy mason.
396
00:21:28,888 --> 00:21:33,757
It was all over the news,
that a woman was killed,
397
00:21:33,759 --> 00:21:35,859
And her baby was taken.
398
00:21:35,861 --> 00:21:38,729
So, I was very aware of that.
399
00:21:38,798 --> 00:21:42,032
Betty anne came into
the restaurant that Thursday
400
00:21:42,034 --> 00:21:42,900
With the baby.
401
00:21:42,968 --> 00:21:45,002
And the hair stood up
on the back of my neck.
402
00:21:47,106 --> 00:21:49,640
[narrator] "betty ann"
is betty ann kirk,
403
00:21:49,708 --> 00:21:53,644
Wife to peggy's fellow perkins
employee, craig.
404
00:21:53,712 --> 00:21:55,178
[peggy] I'd known him
for a couple of years.
405
00:21:55,180 --> 00:21:57,214
He was happy to find out
that she was pregnant.
406
00:21:57,283 --> 00:21:58,782
And we all hoped for the best.
407
00:21:58,851 --> 00:22:00,918
I remember after
he told us that,
408
00:22:00,986 --> 00:22:02,653
Betty ann would come in
and we kept saying,
409
00:22:02,721 --> 00:22:04,087
She's not getting very big
and he said,
410
00:22:04,157 --> 00:22:06,590
Well it's,
she's having a kidney issues.
411
00:22:08,627 --> 00:22:11,895
So, I went out,
and I saw the baby.
412
00:22:11,897 --> 00:22:14,498
And betty kept cradling
the baby.
413
00:22:14,566 --> 00:22:17,334
She wasn't letting anybody
too close to it.
414
00:22:17,403 --> 00:22:18,636
And I kept pressing.
415
00:22:18,704 --> 00:22:20,103
I kept getting up on her.
416
00:22:20,105 --> 00:22:21,471
Betty let me see
and I was telling her,
417
00:22:21,541 --> 00:22:25,075
Betty ann she's just beautiful.
418
00:22:25,144 --> 00:22:29,880
[narrator] reluctantly, betty
allowed peggy to get closer.
419
00:22:29,949 --> 00:22:31,582
While I was looking at the baby,
420
00:22:31,650 --> 00:22:34,284
I could tell that,
that betty had shaved her head.
421
00:22:37,557 --> 00:22:41,492
I could see she had
long dark tuft of hair
422
00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:43,927
That she missed
when she shaved her head.
423
00:22:46,199 --> 00:22:48,565
I said, betty,
I've gotta get back to work,
424
00:22:48,634 --> 00:22:51,202
But I knew I was
on the right track.
425
00:22:54,139 --> 00:22:57,841
[narrator] peggy gives police
a description of betty ann.
426
00:22:57,910 --> 00:23:01,144
[peggy] she had to be,
maybe 5'7", 5'8.
427
00:23:01,146 --> 00:23:05,515
And I said,
she's got a red subaru.
428
00:23:05,517 --> 00:23:08,552
[narrator] the details of the
vehicle match the description
429
00:23:08,620 --> 00:23:11,789
Given by the neighbor
who saw a woman at sharon's hom
430
00:23:11,857 --> 00:23:14,658
On the day of the murder.
431
00:23:14,660 --> 00:23:19,997
The name betty kirk also rings
a bell with one investigator.
432
00:23:20,065 --> 00:23:24,234
[jack] I was actually working
a case on her for check fraud.
433
00:23:24,236 --> 00:23:26,770
That's the only criminal
background I know.
434
00:23:26,839 --> 00:23:29,873
I had never suspected her
of anything like this.
435
00:23:35,114 --> 00:23:38,682
[lauren] betty ann kirk
was born here in florida
436
00:23:38,751 --> 00:23:41,552
On November 7th, 1958,
437
00:23:41,620 --> 00:23:44,454
And grew up in the area.
438
00:23:44,524 --> 00:23:45,989
[narrator]
betty's first marriage
439
00:23:45,991 --> 00:23:49,626
Was a whirlwind of trauma
and abuse.
440
00:23:49,695 --> 00:23:52,696
Betty had two children
from a previous relationship
441
00:23:52,764 --> 00:23:54,331
That didn't work.
442
00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:57,701
They fought every single night,
and it was constant.
443
00:23:57,770 --> 00:24:00,738
It was, it was harsh.
444
00:24:00,806 --> 00:24:03,907
[narrator] in 1981,
child protective services
445
00:24:03,976 --> 00:24:07,644
Placed her children
in foster care.
446
00:24:07,713 --> 00:24:10,080
[lauren] dhs actually
took her son away
447
00:24:10,149 --> 00:24:12,950
After one of these
battery incidents
448
00:24:13,018 --> 00:24:15,686
And put him in foster care.
449
00:24:18,758 --> 00:24:20,958
[narrator] betty divorced
her first husband
450
00:24:21,026 --> 00:24:23,894
And in 1982, she met craig kirk
451
00:24:25,230 --> 00:24:27,965
Betty met craig when she was
living here in fort myers,
452
00:24:28,033 --> 00:24:30,768
And this was the love
of her life.
453
00:24:30,836 --> 00:24:33,036
She was just so smitten.
454
00:24:33,038 --> 00:24:36,740
[narrator] the couple officially
tied the knot in 1983.
455
00:24:36,809 --> 00:24:39,677
But newlywed bliss
quickly faded.
456
00:24:42,214 --> 00:24:45,582
From the start, the family face
financial challenges
457
00:24:45,651 --> 00:24:48,819
Caring for two children
under five.
458
00:24:48,887 --> 00:24:51,455
Craig was struggling
because he was working as a cook
459
00:24:51,523 --> 00:24:53,023
At a local perkin's restaurant,
460
00:24:53,025 --> 00:24:54,758
But not bringing in
very much money.
461
00:24:54,827 --> 00:24:56,927
And at the time
she was uneducated
462
00:24:56,996 --> 00:25:00,598
And not able to get a lot
of opportunities for employment.
463
00:25:05,270 --> 00:25:06,904
[narrator]
despite her unemployment,
464
00:25:06,972 --> 00:25:10,573
Betty was a passionate
volunteer.
465
00:25:10,575 --> 00:25:12,876
[lauren]
betty kirk loved children.
466
00:25:12,945 --> 00:25:15,746
She was a girl scout
troop leader.
467
00:25:15,814 --> 00:25:18,081
[narrator] eventually,
betty found a way
468
00:25:18,083 --> 00:25:22,252
To turn her love of working
with children into a paycheck.
469
00:25:22,321 --> 00:25:26,156
[lauren] she was a clown
with a local clown troupe,
470
00:25:26,225 --> 00:25:28,125
And she would perform
at birthday parties
471
00:25:28,193 --> 00:25:31,962
In shopping malls,
painting kids' faces, etc.
472
00:25:37,069 --> 00:25:39,336
[narrator]
despite her happy persona,
473
00:25:39,404 --> 00:25:42,806
Betty and craig struggled
to make ends meet.
474
00:25:42,875 --> 00:25:47,511
Leading betty at times
to take desperate measures.
475
00:25:47,579 --> 00:25:50,080
She had written
some fraudulent checks
476
00:25:50,149 --> 00:25:52,382
And cashed them
at the grocery store.
477
00:25:55,521 --> 00:25:59,923
[narrator] within a year, betty
made a surprising announcement.
478
00:25:59,992 --> 00:26:03,794
In the summer of 1989, betty
announced that she was pregnant.
479
00:26:03,862 --> 00:26:07,030
The couple began buying clothes
and a crib.
480
00:26:07,032 --> 00:26:09,066
[peggy] once she told us
that she was pregnant,
481
00:26:09,134 --> 00:26:10,167
I started the count.
482
00:26:10,235 --> 00:26:15,205
And where every woman will go
40 weeks, for a pregnancy,
483
00:26:15,274 --> 00:26:18,409
Betty anne was at 43.
484
00:26:18,477 --> 00:26:20,077
It just kept going.
485
00:26:20,145 --> 00:26:23,080
[lauren]
but on March 29th of 1990,
486
00:26:23,148 --> 00:26:26,249
Betty and craig announced
the birth of their daughter,
487
00:26:26,318 --> 00:26:28,952
Laura velta kirk.
488
00:26:28,954 --> 00:26:32,055
Some of the perkins restaurant
employees, um,
489
00:26:32,124 --> 00:26:34,892
Thought it was strange
because she had a child,
490
00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:36,961
The same day as the murder.
491
00:26:38,898 --> 00:26:40,297
[narrator] the baby's birthday
492
00:26:40,365 --> 00:26:43,133
Occurring the same day
as sharon's murder,
493
00:26:43,202 --> 00:26:47,537
Is a coincidence investigators
cannot dismiss.
494
00:26:47,606 --> 00:26:51,742
So, we got a detective go out
and, investigate that lead.
495
00:26:51,810 --> 00:26:53,009
When he told me the name,
496
00:26:53,078 --> 00:26:55,946
Then it immediately
registered to me because I knew
497
00:26:56,014 --> 00:26:58,815
The name from my check fraud
case I was working.
498
00:27:01,887 --> 00:27:03,754
[narrator] he heads first
to the restaurant
499
00:27:03,822 --> 00:27:06,756
Where betty's husband, craig,
is a cook.
500
00:27:06,826 --> 00:27:10,027
Neither betty nor craig
are there.
501
00:27:10,095 --> 00:27:13,830
[jack] I tried to talk to the
employees and their stories
502
00:27:13,899 --> 00:27:15,765
Were all about the same.
503
00:27:15,835 --> 00:27:17,734
[narrator] by March of 1990,
504
00:27:17,803 --> 00:27:21,338
Craig's co workers
were beyond suspicious.
505
00:27:21,406 --> 00:27:22,639
[lauren] she didn't gain
too much weight
506
00:27:22,707 --> 00:27:28,111
And, her belly didn't pop out
the way a pregnant belly would.
507
00:27:28,180 --> 00:27:31,114
[peggy] craig had come to work
the day before and said,
508
00:27:31,183 --> 00:27:34,851
He thought betty anne was,
was gonna have the baby.
509
00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:36,086
Soon, very soon.
510
00:27:37,890 --> 00:27:40,958
[narrator] the next day betty
shows up to visit the restauran
511
00:27:41,026 --> 00:27:44,461
With a brand-new baby girl.
512
00:27:44,529 --> 00:27:46,896
We have a missing baby
and all of a sudden,
513
00:27:46,966 --> 00:27:49,399
One shows up,
big red flags go up.
514
00:27:53,939 --> 00:27:56,873
[narrator] with baby julie
missing for 24 hours,
515
00:27:56,942 --> 00:27:59,742
There is no time to waste.
516
00:27:59,744 --> 00:28:04,014
Investigators race to the home
of betty ann kirk.
517
00:28:04,082 --> 00:28:07,784
When police arrive
at the kirk trailer,
518
00:28:07,853 --> 00:28:10,954
It's in bad condition.
519
00:28:14,693 --> 00:28:16,293
[jim]
there was clothes piled up.
520
00:28:16,361 --> 00:28:20,330
There was what I call debris
on the counters.
521
00:28:20,399 --> 00:28:22,165
Some of the beds were literally
had no frame,
522
00:28:22,234 --> 00:28:24,134
They were on the floor.
523
00:28:24,203 --> 00:28:26,569
It was a filthy environment.
524
00:28:26,639 --> 00:28:29,773
[narrator] adding to their
concern, betty's husband, craig
525
00:28:29,841 --> 00:28:35,378
Seems to be drunk and able
to answer only basic questions.
526
00:28:35,447 --> 00:28:39,482
Craig is sitting
in this bar area just drinking.
527
00:28:39,484 --> 00:28:42,686
And it just seems like
he's already drunk.
528
00:28:42,754 --> 00:28:46,956
Craig confirmed that his wife
had recently, uh the day prior,
529
00:28:46,958 --> 00:28:48,926
Uh, delivered the baby.
530
00:28:48,994 --> 00:28:50,861
[jack]
betty kirk came out of a bedroo
531
00:28:50,929 --> 00:28:52,195
Which was to the back,
532
00:28:52,264 --> 00:28:55,666
And we started asking her
questions about the baby.
533
00:28:55,734 --> 00:28:58,368
She had said that she went
to the health department,
534
00:28:58,437 --> 00:29:02,505
Had the baby there,
and they sent her directly home
535
00:29:02,575 --> 00:29:06,243
Betty kirk gave an explanation
that she had the baby
536
00:29:06,311 --> 00:29:09,246
At the health department
on michigan avenue.
537
00:29:09,314 --> 00:29:11,615
We knew that the health
department on michigan avenue
538
00:29:11,683 --> 00:29:13,150
Doesn't deliver babies.
539
00:29:15,320 --> 00:29:19,622
[narrator] they press betty
for proof that the baby is hers
540
00:29:19,692 --> 00:29:22,759
She told police she couldn't
find the birth certificate.
541
00:29:22,827 --> 00:29:26,863
[jack] my concern was the baby's
safety where the baby was.
542
00:29:26,932 --> 00:29:28,665
We kept asking her questions
and eventually,
543
00:29:28,734 --> 00:29:31,334
Got around to could
we see the baby.
544
00:29:31,336 --> 00:29:33,303
Well, she brought the baby out
to show it to us,
545
00:29:33,372 --> 00:29:36,306
It was wrapped in a blanket
when I saw it.
546
00:29:36,375 --> 00:29:38,809
[jim] another investigator, his
kids were still rather young,
547
00:29:38,877 --> 00:29:41,778
So he remembers the difference
between an actual newborn
548
00:29:41,846 --> 00:29:46,850
And somebody being ten or twelve
or fourteen days old,
549
00:29:46,919 --> 00:29:50,153
Um, more alert,
more awake, eyes open.
550
00:29:50,222 --> 00:29:52,455
It obviously, wasn't born
the day before yesterday.
551
00:29:56,595 --> 00:29:59,429
[music]
552
00:30:03,868 --> 00:30:06,336
[music]
553
00:30:08,507 --> 00:30:10,240
[narrator] thirty hours
into the investigation
554
00:30:10,309 --> 00:30:12,509
Of the murder of sharon parker
555
00:30:12,577 --> 00:30:17,414
And the search for now 11 day
old missing baby julie,
556
00:30:17,482 --> 00:30:20,650
Police in lehigh florida
suspect that the newborn
557
00:30:20,652 --> 00:30:24,321
In betty ann kirk's home
may not be her own.
558
00:30:25,958 --> 00:30:28,358
[jack]
I was concerned for the child.
559
00:30:28,427 --> 00:30:31,862
But at that point, we couldn't
really do a lot about it
560
00:30:31,930 --> 00:30:33,830
Until we did some follow up
561
00:30:33,899 --> 00:30:38,035
And either verified her story
or discredited her story,
562
00:30:38,037 --> 00:30:40,070
And we excused ourselves
and left.
563
00:30:44,343 --> 00:30:46,176
[narrator] one officer
conducts surveillance
564
00:30:46,244 --> 00:30:47,744
Near betty kirk's home,
565
00:30:47,746 --> 00:30:51,715
While the other reports back
to his supervisor.
566
00:30:51,783 --> 00:30:54,417
He went about a half mile away
and had to use a payphone.
567
00:30:54,419 --> 00:30:56,453
There was no cellphones
back then.
568
00:30:56,521 --> 00:31:00,057
He called my lieutenant
and gave him a full briefing
569
00:31:00,059 --> 00:31:02,225
On what was happening.
570
00:31:02,227 --> 00:31:04,127
[jack] when we went
to make phone calls,
571
00:31:04,196 --> 00:31:08,331
Try to verify some of this
information, we could not.
572
00:31:08,400 --> 00:31:12,869
Betty is claiming that she gave
birth on March 29th of 1990
573
00:31:12,938 --> 00:31:14,504
At the health department,
574
00:31:14,573 --> 00:31:19,142
Which they have no facility
for a woman to give birth,
575
00:31:19,210 --> 00:31:21,645
So investigators checked
every hospital,
576
00:31:21,713 --> 00:31:25,415
Every clinic in the area
and there was no record
577
00:31:25,484 --> 00:31:27,350
Of betty kirk giving birth.
578
00:31:31,456 --> 00:31:32,856
[narrator] meanwhile,
579
00:31:32,924 --> 00:31:35,058
The officer keeping watch
over the kirk home
580
00:31:35,127 --> 00:31:37,194
Notes alarming activity.
581
00:31:38,697 --> 00:31:43,166
I started seeing a shadow come
out of the house, go to the car,
582
00:31:43,234 --> 00:31:45,568
Made about three or four trips,
583
00:31:45,570 --> 00:31:47,838
Appeared to be carrying
something.
584
00:31:47,906 --> 00:31:49,706
[jim] it was betty kirk.
585
00:31:49,774 --> 00:31:53,209
Jack got on the radio
and said betty is leaving.
586
00:31:54,479 --> 00:31:57,380
She came out and got in the car
587
00:31:57,449 --> 00:32:00,683
And drove directly
in front of me,
588
00:32:00,753 --> 00:32:02,118
I followed her.
589
00:32:02,187 --> 00:32:04,387
And about a mile
and a half or so away,
590
00:32:04,456 --> 00:32:06,356
We made a vehicle stop
on her vehicle.
591
00:32:10,429 --> 00:32:12,662
[narrator]
the baby isn't in the vehicle
592
00:32:12,731 --> 00:32:14,631
But the officer
does find a reason
593
00:32:14,699 --> 00:32:18,135
To believe their suspect
may be running away.
594
00:32:19,404 --> 00:32:21,137
[jack] she had a couple
of baskets of clothes,
595
00:32:21,206 --> 00:32:23,640
A couple of bags of clothes.
596
00:32:23,708 --> 00:32:26,276
She had said she was going
to a store.
597
00:32:26,344 --> 00:32:28,045
The store she mentioned,
598
00:32:28,047 --> 00:32:30,547
I knew it was closed
because of the hour.
599
00:32:30,615 --> 00:32:32,782
It was 10:00 or 11:00 at night.
600
00:32:32,851 --> 00:32:36,920
[narrator] investigators aren't
letting betty out of sight.
601
00:32:36,988 --> 00:32:39,189
[jim] they asked betty
if she would willingly go
602
00:32:39,257 --> 00:32:42,192
To headquarters for an interview
and she agreed.
603
00:32:42,260 --> 00:32:45,729
I got very concerned
about the infant
604
00:32:45,797 --> 00:32:50,467
Being left at the house
with a intoxicated person.
605
00:32:50,535 --> 00:32:52,435
So, I went back to the house
606
00:32:52,504 --> 00:32:54,671
To check on the safety
of the child.
607
00:32:56,375 --> 00:33:00,110
[narrator] the baby is
with betty's husband, craig.
608
00:33:00,178 --> 00:33:02,512
When I got there,
the gentleman was still there
609
00:33:02,581 --> 00:33:03,880
And was still drinking.
610
00:33:03,949 --> 00:33:06,649
I do not believe
he could take care of an infant
611
00:33:06,651 --> 00:33:09,152
At that point,
the protocol changes.
612
00:33:09,220 --> 00:33:12,022
Now, were have
an endangered child.
613
00:33:12,090 --> 00:33:15,959
We called in the troops
at that point dcfs got involved,
614
00:33:16,027 --> 00:33:19,596
We secured everything while they
completed their investigation.
615
00:33:20,866 --> 00:33:22,798
[jim] we had health
and rehabilitative services go
616
00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:24,835
And, uh,
take custody of the child.
617
00:33:24,903 --> 00:33:27,504
They brought the child
to lee memorial hospital
618
00:33:27,572 --> 00:33:29,773
For observation, an examination.
619
00:33:33,411 --> 00:33:35,812
[narrator] before detectives
interview betty kirk,
620
00:33:35,880 --> 00:33:38,848
They question her husband.
621
00:33:38,850 --> 00:33:42,052
Craig is adamant
he had every reason to believe
622
00:33:42,120 --> 00:33:44,287
His wife was pregnant.
623
00:33:44,289 --> 00:33:45,822
She went three times
to the doctor.
624
00:33:45,890 --> 00:33:49,459
For what her husband thought
was prenatal care.
625
00:33:49,528 --> 00:33:50,793
She even told her husband
626
00:33:50,863 --> 00:33:52,662
That he couldn't sleep
in the bed with her
627
00:33:52,731 --> 00:33:55,565
Because she needed the extra
space for her pregnant belly.
628
00:33:59,471 --> 00:34:01,204
[narrator]
as for the day of the murder,
629
00:34:01,273 --> 00:34:03,373
And the alleged birth
of his child,
630
00:34:03,441 --> 00:34:05,842
Craig has an alibi.
631
00:34:05,911 --> 00:34:07,376
[jim]
I had learned that craig kirk
632
00:34:07,446 --> 00:34:10,179
Was working all day
the day of the murder.
633
00:34:10,181 --> 00:34:13,383
So, his alibi
was easily accountable.
634
00:34:13,451 --> 00:34:16,319
Investigators ask craig
if betty has a gun,
635
00:34:16,321 --> 00:34:20,190
And he tells them yes,
a .25 caliber handgun,
636
00:34:20,258 --> 00:34:23,059
But he says he hasn't seen it
in a while.
637
00:34:23,128 --> 00:34:27,430
The gun used to kill sharon was
a .25-caliber,
638
00:34:27,498 --> 00:34:29,499
Which isn't the most common.
639
00:34:29,568 --> 00:34:32,769
But this is the exact type
of gun that betty owned.
640
00:34:33,939 --> 00:34:36,339
[narrator]
after confirming his alibi,
641
00:34:36,341 --> 00:34:38,608
Craig is released
with no charges.
642
00:34:41,713 --> 00:34:44,547
Next,
investigators question betty,
643
00:34:44,616 --> 00:34:48,718
Now pressing her on what
she knows about sharon parker.
644
00:34:48,787 --> 00:34:53,556
In a surprise move,
betty admits she knew sharon.
645
00:34:53,625 --> 00:34:56,259
[lauren] betty claims
that she and sharon
646
00:34:56,328 --> 00:34:57,928
Are, actually, friends.
647
00:34:57,996 --> 00:34:59,329
Betty told investigators
648
00:34:59,397 --> 00:35:02,398
That she met sharon
at a shopping mall
649
00:35:02,467 --> 00:35:04,601
When she was dressed
as a clown.
650
00:35:04,669 --> 00:35:05,668
[jim] betty would dress up
as a clown
651
00:35:05,737 --> 00:35:09,472
And that's where betty kirk
met sharon parker.
652
00:35:09,540 --> 00:35:11,073
[narrator] according to betty,
653
00:35:11,143 --> 00:35:14,945
She got to know sharon while
painting the twins' faces.
654
00:35:15,013 --> 00:35:16,847
[lauren] the two women
had bonded because
655
00:35:16,915 --> 00:35:20,250
Betty had told sharon she was,
also, pregnant.
656
00:35:20,318 --> 00:35:21,918
[jim]
they exchanged phone numbers,
657
00:35:21,986 --> 00:35:23,920
And they began to befriend
each other.
658
00:35:28,493 --> 00:35:29,692
[narrator] according to betty,
659
00:35:29,694 --> 00:35:32,495
When she read the birth
announcement for sharon's baby
660
00:35:32,564 --> 00:35:35,264
In the newspaper on March 29th,
661
00:35:35,266 --> 00:35:39,736
She decided to congratulate
her friend in person.
662
00:35:39,804 --> 00:35:42,839
Betty kirk said that she went
to the house and that, uh,
663
00:35:42,907 --> 00:35:44,841
She was invited in.
664
00:35:44,909 --> 00:35:49,412
And sharon parker
was sitting in a chair.
665
00:35:49,481 --> 00:35:50,613
[jim] they spoke for a while.
666
00:35:50,615 --> 00:35:53,483
At one point, uh,
betty said she was thirsty,
667
00:35:53,552 --> 00:35:56,719
A short distance away was
a convenient type store
668
00:35:56,721 --> 00:35:58,254
And, sharon gave her a dollar
669
00:35:58,256 --> 00:36:00,490
And said get me a candy bar
as well.
670
00:36:00,558 --> 00:36:03,059
And betty kirk left
for a short period,
671
00:36:03,128 --> 00:36:06,429
Got a pepsi or coke and
came back with the candy bar.
672
00:36:10,034 --> 00:36:12,102
[narrator] betty says when
she returned from the store
673
00:36:12,170 --> 00:36:15,271
And reached into her purse
for sharon's change,
674
00:36:15,273 --> 00:36:18,574
A horrible accident ensued.
675
00:36:18,643 --> 00:36:21,411
Betty says that
she regularly carries a handgun
676
00:36:21,479 --> 00:36:24,014
In her purse for protection.
677
00:36:24,082 --> 00:36:26,749
[jim] the pistol fell out
of her purse.
678
00:36:26,751 --> 00:36:30,119
She grabbed it
and the gun went off.
679
00:36:32,591 --> 00:36:37,727
She shot sharon parker
in the back of the head...
680
00:36:37,796 --> 00:36:40,997
But she explained it away
as an accident.
681
00:36:42,066 --> 00:36:45,768
When it accidentally went off
and hit sharon,
682
00:36:45,837 --> 00:36:48,972
She panicked and just grabbed
the baby and fled.
683
00:36:52,444 --> 00:36:54,744
[narrator]
as to her extended pregnancy,
684
00:36:54,813 --> 00:36:58,949
Detectives learn that there was
an unfortunate explanation.
685
00:36:59,017 --> 00:37:01,651
[lauren] betty is claiming
that she had a miscarriage,
686
00:37:01,720 --> 00:37:06,589
But she continued to pretend
like she was pregnant.
687
00:37:06,591 --> 00:37:08,691
[dr. Bryanna] a lot of
the positive attention
688
00:37:08,760 --> 00:37:10,760
And things
that she was receiving,
689
00:37:10,829 --> 00:37:13,596
Uh, that was making her feel
optimistic about her future
690
00:37:13,664 --> 00:37:15,798
And happy about her life
was taken away.
691
00:37:15,867 --> 00:37:18,368
And so,
she didn't want that to end.
692
00:37:18,436 --> 00:37:22,973
[narrator] the forensics don't
match betty's version of events
693
00:37:23,041 --> 00:37:27,576
The angle at which the gun
was used to fire
694
00:37:27,646 --> 00:37:29,946
Couldn't possibly have been
from an accident.
695
00:37:30,014 --> 00:37:32,815
It wasn't like you accidentally
stand above somebody,
696
00:37:32,817 --> 00:37:34,718
Behind them, and shoot at them.
697
00:37:36,454 --> 00:37:38,921
At this point, police have
enough to arrest her,
698
00:37:38,990 --> 00:37:40,456
Even though she's
still maintaining
699
00:37:40,525 --> 00:37:41,958
That it was an accident.
700
00:37:43,795 --> 00:37:46,496
[narrator] less than two days
after the investigation began,
701
00:37:46,564 --> 00:37:50,000
Betty ann kirk is booked
and stops talking.
702
00:37:51,436 --> 00:37:53,970
Betty invoked her right
to remain silent
703
00:37:54,038 --> 00:37:55,071
And get an attorney.
704
00:37:57,809 --> 00:37:58,941
[narrator] coming up...
705
00:37:59,010 --> 00:38:01,411
A joyous reunion.
706
00:38:01,479 --> 00:38:04,781
All I ever heard was
what a great mother she was.
707
00:38:04,849 --> 00:38:06,616
[narrator]
and to prove their case,
708
00:38:06,684 --> 00:38:11,053
Police piece together
a diabolical plan.
709
00:38:11,055 --> 00:38:14,290
It looked as if she might have
been shopping for a baby.
710
00:38:17,495 --> 00:38:20,029
[music]
711
00:38:25,236 --> 00:38:27,270
[music]
712
00:38:29,707 --> 00:38:31,841
[narrator]
31-year-old betty kirk
713
00:38:31,910 --> 00:38:34,377
Is in custody
for allegedly murdering
714
00:38:34,446 --> 00:38:39,515
Young mother sharon parker
and kidnapping her baby, julie.
715
00:38:39,584 --> 00:38:44,020
Betty claims the shooting
was an accident.
716
00:38:44,088 --> 00:38:46,455
She was just hanging out
at sharon's house
717
00:38:46,525 --> 00:38:47,957
Because they were friends,
718
00:38:48,026 --> 00:38:51,260
And in the midst of this,
the gun just went off.
719
00:38:56,101 --> 00:39:00,169
[narrator] after her arrest,
investigators search her car.
720
00:39:00,171 --> 00:39:01,804
[joseph]
there was a .25 caliber handgun
721
00:39:01,873 --> 00:39:04,874
Found in betty kirk's car
722
00:39:04,943 --> 00:39:08,545
And the projectile was retrieved
from mrs. Parker's head,
723
00:39:08,547 --> 00:39:10,012
Was a .25 caliber.
724
00:39:13,151 --> 00:39:17,053
[narrator] the gun isn't
the only damning evidence.
725
00:39:17,121 --> 00:39:19,255
[heather] there was
a "it's a girl" banner
726
00:39:19,323 --> 00:39:21,057
That was found.
727
00:39:21,126 --> 00:39:25,061
There was some clothing
and little trinkets and stuff
728
00:39:25,129 --> 00:39:28,898
That were gifted to my mother
from her baby showers.
729
00:39:29,934 --> 00:39:31,667
There was a stack
of several newspapers
730
00:39:31,736 --> 00:39:34,003
With birth announcements.
731
00:39:34,005 --> 00:39:37,540
It appeared to have I believe
five or six different births
732
00:39:37,609 --> 00:39:39,142
Circled on it.
733
00:39:39,210 --> 00:39:41,911
Sharon was one of the people
that was circled.
734
00:39:43,114 --> 00:39:46,015
It looked as if she might have
been shopping for a baby.
735
00:39:47,718 --> 00:39:49,352
[lauren]
investigators followed up
736
00:39:49,420 --> 00:39:53,123
With the other women whose name
were circled in the newspaper,
737
00:39:53,191 --> 00:39:56,993
And one of these women told
investigators that betty kirk,
738
00:39:57,061 --> 00:40:00,130
Actually did show up
at her house claiming to be
739
00:40:00,198 --> 00:40:01,898
A healthcare worker.
740
00:40:01,966 --> 00:40:03,633
Investigators believe that bett
741
00:40:03,701 --> 00:40:06,102
Was just going to keep going
down the list
742
00:40:06,170 --> 00:40:08,871
Until somebody with a baby
let her in the house.
743
00:40:13,811 --> 00:40:16,178
[narrator] the baby found
in betty's custody
744
00:40:16,180 --> 00:40:20,650
Is positively identified
as julie parker.
745
00:40:20,718 --> 00:40:23,852
I went with my stepdad
and josh and jake
746
00:40:23,854 --> 00:40:25,521
To the sheriff's department,
747
00:40:25,590 --> 00:40:26,956
Where we picked her up
748
00:40:27,025 --> 00:40:31,160
And we were very happy
to have our sister back.
749
00:40:31,229 --> 00:40:32,995
[julie]
the only thing I'm sure of
750
00:40:32,997 --> 00:40:35,297
Is that it happened.
751
00:40:35,299 --> 00:40:38,635
It was just kind of known
in my family.
752
00:40:38,637 --> 00:40:41,403
People just talked about it
openly.
753
00:40:41,473 --> 00:40:44,774
For a lot of my childhood,
I felt very guilty,
754
00:40:44,842 --> 00:40:46,909
Like if I weren't born,
that wouldn't have happened,
755
00:40:46,978 --> 00:40:48,378
And she'd still be here,
756
00:40:48,446 --> 00:40:51,213
And all my siblings would still
have their mother.
757
00:40:51,283 --> 00:40:54,316
All I ever heard was
what a great person she was.
758
00:40:54,318 --> 00:40:56,686
What a great, specifically,
mother she was.
759
00:40:56,754 --> 00:40:59,355
That her passion in life
was her children.
760
00:41:02,694 --> 00:41:04,326
[narrator] on March 30
761
00:41:04,328 --> 00:41:07,597
Betty pleads innocent to charge
of first-degree murder
762
00:41:07,665 --> 00:41:10,599
And kidnapping.
763
00:41:10,601 --> 00:41:12,935
As prosecutors prepare
for trial,
764
00:41:13,004 --> 00:41:14,904
They delve into betty's motive
765
00:41:14,973 --> 00:41:18,408
By speaking to those
close to the couple.
766
00:41:18,476 --> 00:41:21,077
[peggy] craig and betty
weren't getting along,
767
00:41:21,145 --> 00:41:24,814
And he told her he was thinking
about leaving her.
768
00:41:24,882 --> 00:41:27,217
There was always fighting,
they never had money.
769
00:41:27,285 --> 00:41:30,353
And so, he was already
considering leaving.
770
00:41:30,421 --> 00:41:33,823
[narrator] betty was determined
to see him stay.
771
00:41:33,892 --> 00:41:36,325
She was trying to get pregnant,
772
00:41:36,327 --> 00:41:40,329
To entrap craig to stay
in their relationship.
773
00:41:40,331 --> 00:41:41,998
[lauren] they tried to get
pregnant for a long time
774
00:41:42,066 --> 00:41:47,169
And she eventually did get
pregnant in the summer of 1989,
775
00:41:47,238 --> 00:41:50,740
But she miscarried
in December of that year.
776
00:41:52,611 --> 00:41:55,878
At that point, she had told
people that she was pregnant,
777
00:41:55,946 --> 00:41:58,515
Friends, family and, uh,
778
00:41:58,583 --> 00:42:00,116
It was time to either confess
779
00:42:00,184 --> 00:42:05,488
That she wasn't telling
the truth or get a baby,
780
00:42:05,556 --> 00:42:07,123
She chose the latter.
781
00:42:11,562 --> 00:42:13,862
[narrator] fourteen months
after the murder,
782
00:42:13,864 --> 00:42:16,298
The case nears trial.
783
00:42:16,367 --> 00:42:18,934
Staring down a possible
death sentence,
784
00:42:19,003 --> 00:42:21,937
Betty weighs her options.
785
00:42:22,006 --> 00:42:24,673
Betty ann kirk ultimately
pled no contest
786
00:42:24,675 --> 00:42:26,075
To first-degree murder.
787
00:42:26,144 --> 00:42:28,311
She was later sentenced
to life in prison.
788
00:42:30,348 --> 00:42:33,883
[heather] in order to avoid
additional trauma,
789
00:42:33,951 --> 00:42:36,986
My family decided to accept
that plea bargain.
790
00:42:42,293 --> 00:42:44,927
[julie] I just heard
she was this amazing,
791
00:42:44,929 --> 00:42:47,029
Like, ideal person.
792
00:42:47,098 --> 00:42:49,865
And ya know,
that everybody's blessed to know
793
00:42:49,934 --> 00:42:52,068
And I, unfortunately,
missed the chance.
794
00:42:52,136 --> 00:42:54,703
And how sorry
everybody felt for me
795
00:42:54,773 --> 00:42:58,340
That I didn't get
to experience that.
796
00:42:58,409 --> 00:43:03,379
This lady didn't just steal
my mom, she stole my joy.
797
00:43:03,447 --> 00:43:06,916
And I had to find it in my hear
to do like jesus did
798
00:43:06,985 --> 00:43:10,686
And to be able to give
some sort of forgiveness
799
00:43:10,688 --> 00:43:13,155
That way I could be free.
800
00:43:13,224 --> 00:43:18,427
A lotta people get to call their
mom and tell 'em...About things.
801
00:43:18,429 --> 00:43:19,963
I never got to do that.
802
00:43:22,466 --> 00:43:25,034
She don't get to meet my kids.
803
00:43:25,103 --> 00:43:27,470
But not a day goes by
I don't think about her.
804
00:43:33,411 --> 00:43:37,046
[music]