A San Antonio mother was arrested for trading babysitting services with her 13-year-old son in exchange for purchasing ammunition and tactical gear to support his planned school shooting that police say would have been catastrophic.
Key Takeaways
- Ashley Pardo was charged with aiding in terrorism after allegedly buying ammunition and tactical gear for her son’s planned attack at his middle school.
- The boy’s grandmother prevented a tragedy by alerting police after finding live ammunition and a homemade explosive with the name of an Australian mosque attacker written on it.
- The teenager had previously been suspended for researching mass shootings at school, drew a “suicide route” map, and told his grandmother he was “going to be famous” before being detained.
- This case joins a growing trend of parents being held criminally responsible for their children’s violent actions, similar to recent cases in Michigan and Georgia.
- Pardo faces serious legal consequences with bail conditions including GPS monitoring, home confinement, and weekly drug testing.
Mother Allegedly Traded Childcare for Weapons Support
Ashley Pardo, a Texas mother, faces terrorism charges after allegedly purchasing ammunition and tactical gear for her 13-year-old son who planned to commit “mass targeted violence” at his middle school in San Antonio. Court documents reveal a disturbing arrangement where Pardo provided these materials in exchange for her son babysitting his younger siblings. The teen, who attended Rhodes Middle School, had drawn a detailed “suicide route” map of the school in January and frequently expressed admiration for mass shooters.
Law enforcement officials discovered the plot when the boy’s grandmother found him with live ammunition and a homemade explosive device. The device bore the name of the perpetrator of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, demonstrating the teenager’s disturbing fascination with mass killers. On the morning of the planned attack, the boy told his grandmother he was “going to be famous” before leaving for school, prompting her to contact authorities immediately.
Red Flags Ignored Despite Multiple Warnings
School officials and law enforcement had previously warned Pardo about her son’s concerning behavior. The teenager was suspended earlier this year after being caught researching mass shootings on a school computer. On the same day as his suspension, he attempted suicide and was subsequently placed in an alternative school before returning to Rhodes Middle School in May. Despite these serious incidents, Pardo reportedly remained “dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior.”
“She appeared to be dismissive and unconcerned with her son’s behavior,” said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. “His mother bought him the bullet and tactical gear.”
Court documents indicate that Pardo was fully aware of her son’s violent obsessions when she provided him with the materials needed to carry out an attack. Prosecutors state she “intentionally and knowingly aided” her son’s plans, showing a shocking disregard for public safety and the lives of students and staff at the school. The police investigation revealed the boy had been actively posting disturbing content online, further indicating his intentions.
Growing Trend of Parental Accountability
This case represents part of a concerning national trend where parents are increasingly being held legally accountable for their children’s violent actions. Similar cases include the recent convictions of James and Jennifer Crumbley, parents of a Michigan school shooter, who received 10-15 year prison sentences for their role in their son’s deadly attack. In Georgia, a father faces charges after his son killed four people at a high school using a weapon purchased by the father as a birthday gift.
“Please know we take all potential threats seriously and act immediately to protect everyone in our care,” wrote Principal Felismina Martinez in a letter to parents after the incident was discovered. The school implemented increased security measures and provided counseling services to students following the threat.
Pardo has been released on bail with strict conditions, including wearing a GPS monitor, remaining at home except for court appearances and medical appointments, submitting to weekly drug and alcohol testing, and not possessing firearms. Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 17, where she will face charges that could result in significant prison time if convicted. Meanwhile, her son remains in juvenile detention on terrorism charges, highlighting the severe consequences when parents enable rather than prevent potential violence.
