Illinois woman charged in toddler death amid psychosis claims
Illinois woman charged in toddler death; defense cites psychotic episode similar to postpartum psychosis pattern.
Event / Security
Maternal Infanticide Cases Media Impact
High-profile infanticide cases and their connection to maternal mental health crises, including the Lindsay Clancy trial and related incidents involving mothers experiencing psychotic episodes.
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40 articles0 articles
2026-08-22 to 2026-11-07 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Aug, 03:22 UTC
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What happened
Lindsay Clancy pleads not guilty to murdering three children in Massachusetts
Lindsay Clancy, 36, pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the deaths of her three children—Callan (8 months), Dawson (3 years), and Cora (5 years)—who were strangled in January 2023 at the family home in Duxbury, Massachusetts. After strangling the children, Clancy jumped from a second-story window and is now paralyzed from the waist down.
Forensic psychiatrist testifies Clancy was 'clearly psychotic' on day of killings
Dr. Phillip Resnick, a forensic psychiatrist and expert in filicide, testified for the defense that Clancy was 'clearly psychotic' on the day she killed her children and was not in control of her actions. Resnick, who also testified in the 2006 Andrea Yates trial, stated that Clancy suffered severe depression, showed evidence of bipolar disorder, and reported hearing a voice commanding her to kill the children. He testified that Clancy believed her children would be better off dying with her and going to heaven.
Defense rests in Lindsay Clancy trial arguing postpartum psychosis defense
The defense rested its case on Friday (August 21, 2026) in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial after presenting testimony about her mental state. The defense argues that Clancy should not be held criminally responsible because she suffered from postpartum psychosis, a rare mental illness linked to stress, sleep deprivation, and hormonal changes following childbirth.
Postpartum psychosis occurs in approximately 1-2 per 1,000 mothers after childbirth
Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness occurring in approximately one to two per 1,000 mothers after giving birth. Symptoms include rapid mood swings, depersonalization, insomnia, paranoia, and thoughts of self-harm or harming others. The condition is considered an emergency requiring immediate care and is treatable, though experts say more research is needed to improve understanding, prevention, and treatment.
Prosecution presents rebuttal witness in Clancy trial; closing arguments expected next week
After the defense rested, prosecutors began calling rebuttal witnesses in the trial. Closing arguments are expected the following week. Prosecutors argue that Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse, planned the killings.
Prosecution psychiatrist testifies Clancy showed no evidence of psychosis before killings
Dr. Avram Mack, a forensic psychiatrist called as a rebuttal witness for the prosecution, testified that while Clancy suffered a major depressive episode, there was no evidence of mania, hypomania, or psychosis leading up to the killings. Mack testified that Clancy experienced severe mental illness at the time but that it was a continuation of depression lasting months during which she retained the ability to control impulses and distinguish right from wrong.
Lindsay Clancy sought psychiatric treatment in September 2022 for anxiety
In September 2022, Lindsay Clancy sought care for anxiety and was prescribed an antidepressant. When her anxiety did not improve, her prescriber advised doubling the dose. Clancy was later admitted to a psychiatric facility after experiencing suicidal thoughts and confiding to her husband that she had intrusive thoughts about harming her children.
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2 alternative perspectives
Clancy murder trial ends in mistrial after jury deadlock
Jury deadlocks in Clancy murder trial after seven days, risking mistrial on criminal responsibility question.
Jury deadlock deepens uncertainty in Clancy criminal responsibility verdict
Jury deadlocks after seven days in Clancy trial; conflicting psychiatric evidence divides jurors on criminal responsibility question.
Judge allows defendant to join sidebar discussion in courtroom
Defense motion for open proceedings accompanied Clancy's participation in sidebar conversation.
Jury deadlocks after seven days; mistrial path emerges in Clancy case
Jury deadlocked after seven days; mistrial possible if impasse continues.
Jury deadlocks in Clancy trial as psychiatric evidence divides deliberations
Jury deadlocks in Clancy case as conflicting psychiatric testimony prevents verdict on criminal responsibility.
Defense attorney challenges media coverage of Clancy trial proceedings
Defense attorney criticizes media coverage; Grace and Hannity defend their reporting on Clancy trial.
Jury deadlocks in Clancy criminal responsibility verdict after 23 hours
Jury deadlocked after 23 hours on whether Clancy possessed criminal responsibility for killing her three children.
Jury deadlocks after 23 hours deliberating Clancy criminal responsibility verdict
Jury deadlocked after 23 hours deliberating whether Clancy possessed criminal responsibility for her admitted actions.
Woman arrested for filming jurors at Clancy trial courthouse
Woman arrested for filming jurors during Clancy trial; charged with juror intimidation.
Woman arrested for filming jurors outside courthouse during trial
Woman arrested for filming jurors outside courthouse during Clancy trial.
Prosecution alleges premeditation; defense cites postpartum psychosis defense
Prosecution claims premeditation; defense argues postpartum psychosis eliminated criminal responsibility.