St. George, Utah — Mia Bailey, the Utah woman accused of fatally shooting her parents inside their Washington City home in June 2024, has pleaded guilty under a plea agreement reached with prosecutors.
According to court documents, Bailey entered a plea of guilty and mentally ill to two counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated assault. The plea comes nearly a year and a half after the tragic shootings that shocked the southern Utah community.
The June 2024 Washington City Shooting
Investigators said that on June 18, 2024, Bailey went to her parents’ home and opened fire, killing Joseph and Gail Bailey. Her brother and sister-in-law were also reportedly targeted in the attack but managed to escape unharmed.
The incident led to an intense overnight manhunt involving local law enforcement and state authorities. Bailey was apprehended the following day in a St. George field. Police reports later revealed that she expressed no remorse at the time of her arrest, allegedly stating, “I would do it again. I hate them.”
Plea Deal and Mental Health Considerations
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped several other felony charges originally filed against Bailey, including multiple counts of attempted murder and discharging a firearm. The decision was influenced in part by mental health evaluations that determined she was competent but suffering from significant psychological disorders at the time of the offense.
Court filings show that Bailey’s plea of “guilty and mentally ill” will allow her to receive treatment within the Utah Department of Corrections while serving her sentence. The final sentencing date has not yet been announced.
Community Reaction and Legal Context
The murders deeply affected the quiet community of Washington City, located near St. George, Utah. Residents have described the Baileys as kind and well-known local figures.
Legal experts note that Utah’s “guilty and mentally ill” plea allows courts to impose traditional criminal penalties while also mandating psychiatric care — a legal distinction explained by the Utah Courts system.
Bailey remains in custody as the court reviews sentencing recommendations from both prosecution and defense teams.
