Utah Case: Convicted Parent Killer Who Identifies as a Woman Converts to Islam

Image: Jihad Watch

A transgender woman convicted of killing her parents attempted to avoid appearing for her sentencing hearing in a Utah court, arguing that the emotional strain could trigger a severe mental health crisis. During the proceedings, it was also revealed that she had converted to Islam and referenced her religious beliefs while addressing the court.

Mia Bailey, 30, was ultimately sentenced on Friday to 25 years to life in prison for the fatal shooting of her parents in 2024. The courtroom heard deeply emotional victim impact statements from Bailey’s two brothers, who described ongoing fear for their own safety following the murders. They told the court that the loss of their parents has left them traumatized and permanently altered their lives.

Bailey appeared before the court wearing a striped jail jumpsuit and remained silent throughout the hearing, offering no verbal statement of her own. Instead, her attorney, Ryan Stout, read a written statement on her behalf.

In the statement, Bailey expressed regret and suggested that the tragedy could have been avoided had she received adequate mental health support. “If only I had gotten help, this would have been preventable,” the statement read.

Before sentencing, Bailey sought to be excused from attending the hearing, claiming that the stress could cause a mental breakdown. Her attorney outlined a long history of mental health diagnoses, stating that Bailey had previously been diagnosed with ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, psychosis, possible bipolar disorder with psychotic features, and schizophrenia.

Stout also informed the court that Bailey had voluntarily committed herself to a hospital shortly before the killings but was released after just three days. “Ten days later, she murdered her parents,” he said, highlighting what he described as systemic failures in mental health intervention.

During the statement read aloud in court, Bailey disclosed that she had converted to Islam following her arrest. She also referenced her religious beliefs when discussing accountability for her actions, stating that, under her understanding of faith, taking her own life could serve as atonement for the crimes she committed. The statement did not result in any alteration to the sentencing outcome.

Court records further noted that Bailey had legally changed her name and sex approximately one year prior to the murders.

Despite the defense’s arguments regarding mental illness and emotional distress, the judge determined that the severity of the crime warranted a lengthy prison term. The sentence ensures that Bailey will serve a minimum of 25 years before becoming eligible for parole, with the possibility of spending the remainder of her life behind bars.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)