TikTok Teen Murder Trial Begins January 5th

A five-year-old girl walked into her parents' bedroom on the morning of February 20, 2025. She grabbed her mother's hand. It was ice cold.

That little girl ran to her teenage sister for help. Sarah Grace Patrick, then 16, called 911. The bodies of Kristin Brock, 41, and James Brock, 45, were found shot to death in their bed in Carrollton, Georgia. No signs of forced entry. Nothing taken. No weapon at the scene.

For nearly five months, Sarah appeared to be just another grieving daughter. She posted TikTok videos mourning her mother and stepfather. One caption read "Please send prayers for healing." At the end of that same video, she added something strange: "I should prob delete later."

She never did.

What Happened Next

Sarah didn't just use social media to mourn. She reached out directly to true crime TikTok creators, asking them to cover her parents' "unsolved" murders. She messaged a family friend, Kellie Brown, asking her to speak publicly about the night of February 20th. She contacted an account called "Allegedly Reportedly" with nearly 120,000 followers, writing: "Search up Brock case... They're my parents, and out of nowhere, a random Thursday night in February, someone came in my house with me and my 5-year-old sister and left my parents for me and my 5-year-old sister to wake up to."

Then on July 8, 2025, Sarah Grace Patrick turned herself in. Accompanied by her biological father, she surrendered after learning she had warrants for her arrest.

The charges? Two counts of murder. Two counts of aggravated assault. Later, prosecutors added malice murder and weapons charges. Carroll County Sheriff's Office said they had gathered "mountains of physical and digital evidence" with assistance from the FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The Trial Set for January 5, 2026

Yesterday, a Carroll County judge confirmed what we've been waiting for. Sarah Grace Patrick's murder trial is scheduled to begin January 5, 2026. Both prosecution and defense announced ready, though there's one wild card hanging over everything.

The defense has retained a forensic neuropsychologist, Dr. Robert Schaefer, who has evaluated Patrick over multiple visits since August. His report is expected the week after Christmas. The state hasn't seen it yet. Depending on what it says, this trial date could move. The judge made clear he'll give the prosecution time to review and potentially retain their own expert if needed.

What does this mean? Possibly a mental health defense. Possibly something that changes the entire trajectory of this case. We won't know until that report lands.

Why This Case Matters

Sarah Grace Patrick was 16 years old when her mother and stepfather were killed. She's now 17, being charged as an adult. Her supporters wore "I Stand with Sarah" t-shirts to her bond hearing. Her pastor testified about praying with her in jail. Her friends said she "just doesn't have this in her."

James Brock's son, Trysten, told the judge: "Your honor, it feels like I'm living in a nightmare."

James Brock's sister, Kim Bowling, said on the stand that if Sarah "can kill her own parents in such a violent manner, I fear for my own safety and the safety of my family and friends."

The judge denied bond, citing flight risk and danger to the community. Sarah remains in Carroll County Jail.

Here's what we know: Kristin and James Brock were active in their church. James was waiting for a heart transplant, living with an L-VAD machine to keep his heart pumping. They had three children between them, including that five-year-old who found their bodies. Sarah initially told authorities someone else had entered the home and carried out the crime.

What we don't know: Motive. The murder weapon has never been publicly identified as recovered. And the forensic neuropsychology report could change everything we think we understand about this case.

Justice Is A Process Coverage Begins Now

I'll be covering this trial from gavel to gavel. The full Case Background Report is coming soon, breaking down everything we know about the evidence, the timeline, the family dynamics, and the legal questions this case will force us to answer.

Sarah Grace Patrick hasn't been convicted of anything. She's presumed innocent under the law. The prosecution will have to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense appears to be building something around mental health, and we need to watch how that develops.

This is exactly the kind of case that demands watchdog coverage. A teenager's life. A family torn apart. Social media creating a digital trail unlike anything we've seen. And a system that will have to decide whether a 17-year-old lives free or spends decades behind bars.

▶️ WATCH NOW TikTok Teen Accused of Killing Mom, Stepfather Heads to Trial - Trial Date Hearing

The hearing yesterday confirmed the January 5th date. You can watch it above. But this is just the beginning.

Stay close. The Case Background Report drops soon. And when trial begins, we'll be there every day, watching the system, questioning everything, making sure this process gets the scrutiny it deserves.