[sanghill]

Owner's Manual Fifth Edition pg 354 says "Electronic Park Brake Failure This telltale indicates that there is an Electronic Park Brake Fault. Please see your dealer." Which message did you get? Was the message on the EVIC display (above the steering wheel) or on the Uconnect display?
The fuse block on the left side of the engine compartment: F42 EPB - LT; 30 amp pink color, is the only Electronic Park Brake fuse I can find. Try removing it with the FUSE PULLER tool. Look at the fuse, if it looks burned or different from the other fuses it may be "open". Just pushing the fuse back into its spot firmly may solve the problem. If you get lucky you should buy a Lottery Ticket.
I would not expect your rear brake pads to be worn out yet unless you have replaced your front pads already.
In Uconnect you can set it so the parking brake does NOT engage or disengage automatically. You should have your seat belt fastened when using the parking brake. Already learned this the hard way. Let me know if you need help.

 

[sanghill]

inside fuse cover

Look at picture on your computer magnified to see where the fuse is located.

 

[sanghill]

Thanks. The message on the EVIC was "Service Park Brake."

Have not found that error message in my Service Manual yet.

 

[sanghill]

did you get this?
In the unlikely event of a malfunction of the Electric Park Brake system, a yellow EPB fault lamp will illuminate. This may be accompanied by the Brake warning lamp flashing. In this event, urgent service of the electric park brake system is required. Do not rely on the parking brake to hold the vehicle stationary.

 

[sanghill]

If he uses Uconnect to put the parking brake in Service Mode would that work?
Also, get your battery tested. I bought gas once and my 2014 V6 TH went into limp home mode from heat soak. My battery was tested as "at the end of its useful life".
While you are waiting. Put the Jeep ignition in RUN, do NOT start the Jeep, go to Battery Voltage in EVIC, the battery voltage should be 12V. If it is down to 10 volts you have a dead cell. I REALLY want to know what is happening. If this happens to me out in the woods AAA won't be able to help me.