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
Postpartum psychosis affects 1 to 2 per 1,000 women after delivery
Postpartum psychosis is a rare mental health emergency affecting approximately 1 to 2 per 1,000 women after delivery. It can happen to anyone after giving birth, but chances are higher for people with certain mental health conditions, particularly bipolar affective disorder. Though most people with postpartum psychosis do not harm their children, mothers with severe cases may attempt to harm their children and themselves.
Medical experts disagreed on Clancy's mental state at time of killings
Medical experts called by the defense and prosecution disagreed about Clancy's state of mind when she killed her children. A defense forensic psychiatrist testified that Clancy was clearly psychotic and held a delusional belief that her children would be better off dying with her. The prosecution's experts agreed Clancy had serious psychological problems but said she was not psychotic and that she knew right from wrong and had control of her behavior.
Jury begins deliberations in Lindsay Clancy murder trial
A jury of 12 jurors (9 women and 3 men) began deliberations in the trial of Lindsay Clancy, a Boston-area mother accused of murdering her three young children—5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan—on January 24, 2023. The jury deliberated for approximately three-and-a-half hours on Thursday before adjourning for the day and was scheduled to resume deliberations Friday morning at 9 a.m. in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Prosecution argues Clancy deliberately chose to kill her children
Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague argued that Clancy's actions on January 24, 2023, were a deliberate choice. Prosecutors contended Clancy was depressed and exhausted by January 2023 and no longer wanted to keep trying to get better, viewing her children as obstacles preventing her from ending her misery. The prosecution presented evidence that Clancy was involved in everyday activities the day of the killings, including taking her children to the doctor and playing with them in the snow, and deliberately sent her husband on errands to get him out of the house.
Clancy had history of mental health treatment before the killings
Lindsay Clancy sought treatment for worsening mental health during the months before she killed her children, including a stay in a psychiatric hospital. The killings occurred less than three weeks after her discharge from the psychiatric hospital. In diary entries written in the months before the killings, Clancy described feeling anxious, overwhelmed, preoccupied with infant care details, experiencing brain fog, and desperate for a mental break from taking care of everyone.
Clancy pleads not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility
Lindsay Clancy has pleaded not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility, raising what is commonly known as an insanity defense. Her defense argues that she suffered from postpartum psychosis, a rare mental illness following childbirth that affected her grip on reality. If found not guilty due to lack of criminal responsibility, a judge can order an evaluation and potentially commit her to a state mental hospital if deemed mentally ill and dangerous to herself or others.
Clancy survived suicide attempt after killing her children
After strangling her three children on January 24, 2023, Clancy cut herself and jumped from a second-floor window in an apparent suicide attempt. She survived the jump but remains paralyzed from the waist down.
Defense argues postpartum psychosis caused by inadequate medical care
Clancy's defense attorney Kevin Reddington argued that Clancy suffered from postpartum psychosis and heard a voice in her head ordering her to kill her children and herself. The defense blamed postpartum psychosis and inadequate medical care following her third child's birth. Reddington criticized the credentials of psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Tufts, who had only been practicing with full credentials for about a month before beginning treatment with Clancy in September 2022.
Lindsay Clancy charged with three counts of first-degree murder
Lindsay Clancy, age 36, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her three children. The first-degree murder charge requires proof of premeditation and malice and carries a sentence of life without parole. Jurors may also consider lesser-included offenses of second-degree murder or manslaughter if they determine prosecutors did not prove all first-degree elements.
Jury has five verdict options in Clancy trial
The jury in the Lindsay Clancy trial has five verdict options available: guilty of first-degree murder, guilty of second-degree murder, guilty of manslaughter, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity. If found guilty of first-degree murder, Clancy faces life in prison, as Massachusetts does not have the death penalty. Judge William Sullivan instructed the jury to disregard the fact that Clancy did not testify and not to be swayed by graphic evidence presented during the trial.
Lindsay Clancy paralyzed after suicide attempt following children's deaths
On the day her children died, Lindsay Clancy stated she was hearing voices telling her to kill herself and her children. She attempted suicide by cutting her wrists and throat and jumping out a window. As a result of these suicide attempts, Clancy is now paralyzed from the waist down. Prior to the killings, Clancy, who works as a labor and delivery nurse, had reached out to doctors and a suicide hotline seeking help.
Jury begins deliberations in Lindsay Clancy murder trial
A jury began deliberations in Plymouth, Massachusetts on August 27, 2026, in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her three children: Cora (5 years old), Dawson (3 years old), and Callan (8 months old). The children's bodies were discovered by their father, Patrick Clancy, in their Duxbury, Massachusetts home in January 2023. The trial began on July 20 and included 21 days of testimony from 85 witnesses, with 72 witnesses called by the prosecution. The jury consists of nine women and three men.
Prosecution argues premeditation and rational choice in Clancy case
Prosecutor Jennifer Sprague presented closing arguments claiming that the killings were a series of rational, premeditated choices. Sprague argued that Clancy strangled her oldest children first because they were more likely to fight back, and characterized their deaths as an act of extreme atrocity and cruelty. The prosecution contended that Clancy acted with deliberation and intent in committing the murders.
Lindsay Clancy pleads not guilty to murder charges citing postpartum psychosis
Lindsay Clancy, 36, pleaded not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, claiming she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and bipolar disorder at the time of her children's deaths. Clancy admitted to killing her three children but contends she was overmedicated and not mentally responsible for her actions. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington argued that Clancy had received inadequate medical care when seeking help for her mental illnesses in the months before the killings.
Prosecutors argue Clancy knew her actions were wrong despite mental illness
Prosecutors acknowledged that Clancy suffered from mental health issues but argued she carried out the killings while knowing it was wrong. Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague stated the case was not about the mental health system but about criminal responsibility.
Judge offers jury alternative murder charge options
Judge William Sullivan instructed the jury that they could alternatively consider second-degree murder or manslaughter charges instead of first-degree murder.
Clancy admitted to killing her children by strangulation and attempted suicide
Clancy admitted to strangling her three children with exercise bands in the basement of her home in a coastal Boston suburb. She also sliced her wrists and neck with a knife and jumped out of a window in a failed suicide attempt, which left her paralyzed.
Defense argues Clancy not guilty by reason of insanity due to postpartum psychosis
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington argued in closing arguments that Clancy should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, alleging she was suffering from postpartum psychosis at the time of the killings and that 'her mind was gone' during the incident.
Clancy had prior psychiatric treatment and suicidal ideation
Months before the killings, Clancy told her ex-husband that she was having thoughts of suicide and harming their children. She was prescribed medications and checked into a psychiatric hospital before the incident.
Lindsay Clancy faces three first-degree murder charges
Lindsay Clancy, 36 years old, faces three counts of first-degree murder—one for each of her children: Cora (5 years old), Dawson (3 years old), and Callan (8 months old). If convicted on any first-degree murder charge, she faces life imprisonment with no possibility of parole.
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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.