The Charges

Kate Parker is facing a total of 43 criminal charges, stemming from a Multnomah County Grand Jury indictment.

She was arrested at her home at 1000 Marjean Lane in Grants Pass late in the afternoon of Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

Kate’s alleged crimes span a period of more than six years, from April 20, 2007  to October 29, 2013.

Her bail totals $1,195,000. The following is an overview of the charges that Kate’s facing, along with information on the various crime classifications, to provide readers with a bit of context on the severity of each charge.

Felony and Misdemeanor Classes in Oregon

As you’ll see, in the State of Oregon the felony charges are divided into four categories: Class A, Class B, Class C and Unclassified. Here’s a little bit about the various classifications, so readers can better understand the magnitude of each charge.

Class A Felonies

A Class A felony is the second most severe class in the state of Oregon. Class A felonies include first degree assault (the charge Kate is facing), first degree rape, aggravated vehicular homicide and first degree manslaughter. The maximum sentence is 20 years in prison, plus up to $375,000 in fines. Kate is facing 4 Class A felonies.

Class B Felonies

A Class B Felony is the middle ground in terms of severity. Class B felonies include unlawful possession of body armor, first degree aggravated theft and first degree abuse of a corpse. The maximum sentence is 10 years imprisonment, plus a fine totaling up to $250,000.

Class C Felonies

Class C felonies are the least severe of the four felony classes. Crimes that fall under this classification include second degree burglary, third degree robbery and mail theft. In Oregon, the maximum sentence for a Class C felony is up to 5 years in prison, plus a fine of up to $125,000. Kate is facing a total of 39 Class C felonies.

Unclassified Felonies

Unclassified felonies are the most severe in the state of Oregon. Crimes that fall under this category include murder, aggravated murder and murder of a pregnant woman. Fines can total up to $500,000. If convicted, individuals face a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or death. Kate is not facing any unclassified felonies.

Misdemeanor Charges

A similar system is used to classify misdemeanor crimes. Kate is facing one Class A misdemeanor — reckless endangerment — which is the most severe variety of misdemeanor crime. Other crimes in this class include DUI, fourth degree assault and second degree theft. This classification of crime is associated with a one year maximum sentence and a fine of up to $6,250.

The Charges

Kate has been charged with the following, according to the indictment. The date of each charge has been aligned with Kate’s CaringBridge posts to determine the event that’s linked to each offense. The Truth Blog has also published a more detailed line-up, with Kate’s writings about each event here. 

• Count 1: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with Joshua’s de-tethering and Chiari decompression surgery on April 20, 2007

• Count 2: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with Joshua’s g-port placement surgery on August 17, 2007

• Count 3: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with Joshua’s  Chiari decompression surgery which was performed on October 1, 2007

• Count 4: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with a Chiari-related surgery performed on Joshua on February 18,2008.

• Count 5: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with a spinal de-tethering surgery that was performed on Joshua on November 12, 2008.

• Count 6: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is linked to an April 6, 2009 surgery on Joshua when his pseudomeningocele was drained/repaired and a lumbar puncture was performed.

• Count 7: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with a surgery that was performed on Joshua on July 7, 2009.

• Count 8: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with Joshua’s fifth spinal de-tethering surgery and a procedure to place an LP shunt. The procedures were performed on November 30, 2009.

• Count 9: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

It’s alleged that Kate took custody of Bethany on October 11, 2010 “for the purpose of fraud.”

• Count 10: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

It’s alleged that Kate took custody of Hannah on October 11, 2010 “for the purpose of fraud.”

• Count 11: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

It’s alleged that Kate “did unlawfully and intentionally and knowingly withhold necessary and adequate food and physical care” from Bethany on November 1, 2010.

• Count 12: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

It’s alleged that Kate “did unlawfully and intentionally and knowingly withhold necessary and adequate food and physical care” from Hannah on November 1, 2010.

• Count 13: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is connected with a December 6, 2010 surgery that was performed on Joshua.

• Count 14: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with Bethany’s  January 20, 2011 surgery to place a g-tube.

• Count 15: Assault in the First Degree — Class A Felony, $250,000 bail.

This charge is associated with Joshua’s fifth Chiari decompression surgery, performed on April 25, 2011.

• Count 16: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is also associated with Joshua’s fifth Chiari decompression surgery, performed on April 25, 2011.

• Count 17: Felony Computer Crime — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge aligns with Kate’s July 22, 2011 fundraiser, which sought to raise money that would allow Charley to take a four-week vacation to spend time with Joshua.

• Count 18: Identity Theft — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

It’s alleged that Kate used Joshua’s name, photos and personal information to launch a July 22, 2011 fundraiser, which sought to raise money that would allow Charley to take a four-week vacation to spend time with Joshua.

• Count 19: Felony Computer Crime — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge aligns with Kate’s July 28, 2011 fundraiser for Joshua’s 5.5 “half birthday” party.

• Count 20: Identity Theft — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

It’s alleged that Kate used Joshua’s name, photos and personal information to launch a July 28, 2011 fundraiser for Joshua’s 5.5 “half birthday” party.

• Count 21: Assault in the First Degree — Class A Felony, $250,000 bail.

This charge aligns with a surgery that was performed on Hannah on November 3, 2011.

• Count 22: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is also associated with the surgical procedure that was performed on Hannah on November 3, 2011.

• Count 23: Assault in the First Degree — Class A Felony, $250,000 bail.

This charge aligns with a Chiari-related surgery performed on Joshua on November 3, 2011.

• Count 24: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is also linked to the Chiari-related surgery performed on Joshua on November 3, 2011.

• Count 25: Assault in the First Degree — Class A Felony, $250,000 bail.

This charge aligns with a ventriculostomy surgery performed on Joshua on November 7, 2011 in an attempt to relieve cerebrospinal fluid pressure inside his head and spinal canal.

• Count 26: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is also associated with the ventriculostomy surgery performed on Joshua on November 7, 2011 in an attempt to relieve cerebrospinal fluid pressure inside his head and spinal canal.

• Count 27: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

On August 1, 2012, Kate allegedly “did unlawfully and intentionally and knowingly leave Hannah Parker unattended in a place for a period of time that was likely to endanger [her] health and welfare.”

• Count 28: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

On August 1, 2012, Kate allegedly “did unlawfully and intentionally and knowingly leave Bethany Parker unattended in a place for a period of time that was likely to endanger [her] health and welfare.”

• Count 29: Abandonment of a Child — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge stems from Kate’s alleged ‘rehoming’ of Hannah. It’s alleged that on November 1, 2012, she “did unlawfully and knowingly desert Hannah Parker…with the intent of abandoning [her].”

• Count 30: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge also stems from Kate’s alleged ‘rehoming’ of Hannah. It’s alleged that on November 1, 2012, she “did unlawfully and knowingly desert Hannah Parker…with the intent of abandoning [her].”

• Count 31: Felony Computer Crime — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with a fraudulent fundraiser launched on January 22, 2013. This fundraiser was to cover Bethany’s funeral costs.

• Count 32: Identity Theft — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

It’s alleged that Kate used Bethany’s name, photo and personal information to launch a fraudulent fundraiser on January 22, 2013, reportedly intended to cover Bethany’s funeral costs.

• Count 33: Felony Computer Crime — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is associated with a fraudulent fundraiser launched on August 6, 2013. This fundraiser solicited donations of restaurant gift cards and cash to cover expenses to cover Joshua’s post-death expenses, with the promise that “This money will NOT be touched until after Joshua passes away.”

• Count 34: Identity Theft — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge stems from allegations that Kate used Joshua’s name, photo and personal information to launch a fraudulent fundraiser on August 6, 2013, to solicit restaurant gift cards and money to cover expenses after Joshua’s death.

• Count 35: Recklessly Endangering Another Person — Class A Misdemeanor, $5,000 bail.

This charge stems from an event involving Joshua on August 28, 2013.

• Count 36: Tampering With a Witness — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge stems from allegations that Kate coached her daughter Emily about what to tell investigators on September 11, 2013.

• Count 37: Tampering With a Witness — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge stems from allegations that Kate coached her daughter Sarah about what to tell investigators on September 11, 2013.

• Count 38: Tampering With a Witness — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge stems from allegations that Kate coached her son David about what to tell investigators on September 11, 2013.

• Count 39: Tampering With a Witness — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge stems from allegations that Kate coached her son Isaac about what to tell investigators on September 11, 2013.

• Count 40: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

It’s alleged that Kate “did unlawfully and intentionally and knowingly withhold necessary and adequate physical care and medical attention” from Bethany on October 1, 2013.

• Count 41: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is also associated with allegations that Kate “did unlawfully and intentionally and knowingly withhold necessary and adequate physical care and medical attention” from Bethany on October 1, 2013.

• Count 42: Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge is also associated with allegations that Kate “did unlawfully and intentionally and knowingly withhold necessary and adequate physical care and medical attention” from Bethany on October 1, 2013.

• Count 43: Tampering With a Witness — Class C Felony, $5,000 bail.

This charge stems from allegations that Kate Parker “did unlawfully and knowingly induce and attempt to induce Kate Estes, a witness and person whom the defendant believed might be called as a witness in an official proceeding, to offer false testimony” on or around October 29, 2013.

The Maximum Penalties

If Kate were to receive the maximum sentence for each of these charges (very unlikely), she would be facing the following in terms of imprisonment and fines:

• 4 Class A Felonies — 80 years imprisonment and $1,000,000 in fines.
• 39 Class C Felonies — 195 years imprisonment and $4,875,000 in fines.
• 1 Class A Misdemeanor — 1 year imprisonment and $6,250 in fines.

In total, if she were to receive the maximum in terms of sentence and fines, she would face a maximum sentence of 276 years in prison and $5,881,250 in fines.

To see a more detailed overview of how these charges align with Kate’s CaringBridge posts, see this related writeup.