Snapped: Women Who Murder – "Betty Kirk"

Host: Oxygen
Episode Date: December 21, 2025

Overview

This episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder investigates the chilling crime of Betty Ann Kirk, who, in 1990 Florida, murdered a young mother, Sharon Parker, and abducted her 10-day-old infant, Julie. Through police records, family interviews, and firsthand accounts, the podcast unravels the red flags, the desperate search for the missing child, and delves into Betty Kirk’s motives and backstory. It's a true crime tale of deception, psychological unraveling, and the tragic aftermath for a shattered family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Crime Unfolds (01:03–05:47)

• On March 29, 1990, six-year-old twins, Jacob and Joshua Parker, return home to find their mother, Sharon Parker, dead in a recliner and their newborn sister, Julie, missing.

• Older sister Heather arrives, discovers the scene, and calls 911.

• First responders confirm Sharon is deceased; detectives are dispatched, and an urgent search for Julie begins.

  “We opened up the door and that's when I noticed the pool of blood.”
  — Joshua Parker (01:10)

  “We've got a young mother who's been executed and a baby gone.”
  — Detective (01:16)

The Investigation Begins (05:47–12:33)

• Police, shocked by the brutality and the infant’s disappearance, interview family, comb the house, and question if this is a targeted kidnapping.

• The only item missing: an "It's a Girl" banner, raising suspicion about the perpetrator’s motive.

• Gary Parker (father) is emotional but cooperative; his alibi is checked. Police consider all family and acquaintances as potential suspects.

  “Who could fathom stealing a baby? It was a nightmare.”
  — Detective (06:13)

Delving Into the Parker Family & Early Suspects (12:48–18:59)

• Sharon is described as a loving, devoted mother, close to her children and active in their lives.

• Police learn from daughter Heather that Gary had a close working relationship with his supervisor, Stephanie, which caused tension at home, but alibis for both check out.

• Gary reveals he owns a .22 caliber firearm (not the murder weapon—Sharon was shot with a .25 caliber).

• Their focus shifts when no direct evidence ties Gary or Stephanie to the crime.

  “She [Heather] was very composed, very smart and articulate … she gives them compelling information.”
  — Detective on Heather’s interview (15:54–16:13)

Desperate Search and Community Tension (19:20–21:24)

• The police urge the public to report any unusual activity; over 100 tips pour in.

• A standout tip mentions a woman who claimed to have given birth at the same time as Sharon’s murder, yet did not appear pregnant before.

  “If anybody reports anything unusual, contact sheriff's office immediately.”
  — Detective (20:48)

The Lead: Betty Ann Kirk & the Perkins Connection (22:54–29:19)

• Peggy Mason, a waitress, tells police her coworker Craig’s wife, Betty Ann Kirk, arrived at the restaurant with a newborn—despite not having looked pregnant recently (23:10).

• Peggy notices Betty’s oddly shaved head (to mimic childbirth) and secretive behavior with the infant.

  “While I was looking at the baby, I could tell that Betty had shaved her head. I could see she had long, dark tuft of hair that she missed when she shaved her head.”
  — Peggy (24:11)

• The description of Betty’s red Subaru hatchback matches one seen at the Parker home.

• An investigator recognizes Betty’s name from an unrelated check fraud case.

Betty Ann Kirk’s Background (25:16–29:09)

• Betty grew up in Florida, had a troubled first marriage, lost custody of children, and later married Craig Kirk.

• Financial instability plagued the couple; Betty worked as a birthday party clown.

• In the summer of 1989, Betty announced a pregnancy, but coworkers noted inconsistencies—her pregnancy went "43 weeks" with little visible change, arousing suspicion.

  “She was a clown with a local clown troupe ... painting kids faces, etc.”
  — Narrator (27:04)

The Takedown: Police Close In (29:19–34:56)

• Detectives arrive at Betty’s trailer, finding squalid conditions and a seemingly intoxicated Craig.

• Betty claims to have given birth at a health department—police find no record of this.

• Surveillance catches Betty making multiple nighttime trips to her car, prompting police to stop her; she claims to be heading to a store that’s closed.

• Police become concerned for the baby’s safety and, with child protective services, remove the infant for examination.

  “My concern was the baby's safety, where the baby was ... eventually got around to, could we see the baby?”
  — Detective (31:04)

Cracks in the Story: The Investigation Breaks Betty’s Alibi (35:08–38:54)

• Betty’s husband, Craig, provides an alibi for the day of the murder (he was at work).

• Craig admits Betty owned a .25 caliber handgun—the murder weapon’s caliber.

• Betty tells police she knew Sharon from children’s events, claiming to visit her, accidentally shoot her, and then take the baby in a panic.

  “The pistol fell out of her purse, she grabbed it, and the gun went off. She shot Sharon Parker in the back of the head, but she explained it away as an accident.”
  — Detective (37:59)

• Forensics refute accident claims, implicating Betty in murder.

  “The angle at which the gun was used to fire couldn't possibly have been from an accident. It wasn't like you accidentally stand above somebody behind them and shoot at them.”
  — Expert (38:58)

Motive & Evidence (40:13–41:43)

• Police find Betty’s .25 caliber gun in her car, the "It’s a Girl" banner, baby gifts, and a newspaper with several birth announcements circled—indicating she’d potentially targeted multiple women.

• One mother on the circled list reported Betty came to her house pretending to be a healthcare worker.

  “It looked as if she might have been shopping for a baby.”
  — Detective (41:12, 41:46)

Reunion & Aftermath (41:43–45:03)

• Julie is returned to her family in a bittersweet reunion.

  “We picked her up and we were very happy to have our sister back. The only thing I'm sure of is that it happened.”
  — Heather Parker (41:50)

• Betty’s motive emerged from a desperate attempt to keep her marriage after a miscarriage; instead of admitting the loss, she sought to "get a baby" to present to her husband and community (43:03).

• Fourteen months after the crime, Betty pleads no contest to murder and is sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility at age 103.

  “It was time to either confess that she wasn't telling the truth or get a baby. She chose the latter.”
  — Detective (43:22)

• Family reflects on their loss and attempts at forgiveness:

  “This lady didn't just steal my mom. She stole my joy. And I had to find it in my heart… to be able to give some sort of forgiveness.”
  — Joshua Parker (44:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “She was a clown that performed at birthday parties.” (01:45, 27:04) – Repeatedly highlights how a trusted community figure committed an unthinkable crime.
• “It looked as if she might have been shopping for a baby.” (41:12, 41:46) – Investigators’ haunting realization of premeditation.
• “You accidentally stand above somebody behind them and shoot at them.” (38:58) – Expert refuting the ‘accident’ claim.

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------| | 01:03 | Crime is discovered | | 03:41 | Twins realize mother is dead | | 11:17 | Father Gary Parker returns home | | 16:26 | Heather identifies Stephanie as work friend | | 19:20 | Gary provides alibi, .22 not murder weapon | | 23:10 | Peggy Mason tip about Betty Ann Kirk | | 24:47 | Vehicle matches, police focus on Betty Kirk | | 29:26 | Betty arrives at restaurant with newborn | | 31:01 | Police question Betty Kirk about the baby | | 33:14 | Surveillance and attempted getaway | | 37:59 | Betty claims accidental shooting during visit | | 39:59 | Betty’s arrest and evidence found | | 41:43 | Julie Parker returned to family | | 43:51 | Betty pleads no contest, receives life sentence | | 45:03 | Betty remains incarcerated, eligible for parole |

Conclusion

Snapped’s account of Betty Ann Kirk’s crime is a harrowing journey into the lengths someone will go to maintain the illusion of happiness, even at the cost of another’s life. The episode methodically details the family tragedy, the tireless police investigation, and the bizarre duplicity of a woman seen as a harmless children’s entertainer. The Parker family's grief, resilience, and search for some measure of forgiveness offer a poignant coda to this disturbing true crime.