Teen Suspect in Parents’ Murders Who Begged True Crime Influencers to Cover Killing Seen Smiling in Court — Before She Wept

The 17-year-old from Georgia charged in connection with the deaths of her mother and stepfather appeared in court this week, initially smiling before breaking down as testimony began.

Sarah Grace Patrick faces charges in connection with the February murders of her mother, Kristin Brock, 41, and stepfather, James Brock, 45, in Carrollton, Ga.

Video coverage by COURT TV shows Patrick smiling as she entered the Carroll County courtroom on Aug. 19, hugging her attorneys before taking her seat.

Patrick became emotional as testimony was presented, including statements from her pastor, friends, and a woman who took her in after the murders, according to COURT TV footage.

The woman, identified as Kaitlin O’Keefe, told the court that Patrick often motivated herself to finish her homework by thinking of her late mother. As O’Keefe spoke, Patrick was seen breaking down and weeping multiple times.

Patrick was arrested in July, months after her 6-year-old sister discovered the Brocks’ bodies in their home. Patrick herself placed the 911 call reporting the killings.

In the weeks following, Patrick reached out to true crime influencers seeking attention for her parents’ case.

One TikTok message sent to true crime blogger Allegedly Reportedly included a note from someone named “Sarah Grace,” offering to provide “intell (sic)” and encouraging coverage of her parents’ murders.

“I think it would be a really big hit,” the user wrote in the message shared with PEOPLE. The note also claimed that “the only person who posted about [the murders] made it as the first image you see when you google [the victims’] names.”

Patrick turned herself in to authorities in July. She faces two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault, according to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office.

Following her court appearance this week, a judge ordered that Patrick remain in custody. The motive for the killings has not been disclosed.

She has not yet been indicted, and her arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 22.