An Illinois mother accused of killing her 2-year-old son allegedly told investigators the boy was the “devil” and prosecutors say she had become deeply interested in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, even discussing it with friends hours before her son was found dead.
Corie A. Walsh, 38, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the death of her son, Barrett Walsh.
Prosecutors allege Walsh told investigators she killed the toddler because she believed he was the “devil” and “anti-Christ.”
Witnesses told investigators Walsh had “recently become very invested in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial” and had been actively discussing the case with friends in a group text, according to Fox 32 Chicago.
Prosecutors say Walsh was texting about the trial around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Hours later, Frankfort police were called to a home in the 22700 block of Brook Stone Court for a report of an injured child.
A neighbor discovered Barrett hanging in the basement from a device attached to a rafter, according to prosecutors. The child had a ligature around his neck and his feet were off the ground,
The neighbor removed the ligature, lowered him to the floor and began CPR while calling 911.
Barrett could not be revived. Preliminary autopsy findings showed he died from asphyxia caused by ligature compression of the neck, prosecutors said.
Investigators found Walsh upstairs in the master bathroom, fully clothed in a bathtub containing bloody water, according to court documents.
A neighbor was holding a towel against Walsh's inner thigh and told investigators she had taken a knife from Walsh's hand and thrown it into a sink. Walsh had cuts on her wrists and thighs and was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Prosecutors say Walsh made statements at the scene about why she killed Barrett and later, while hospitalized, described how she killed him. Investigators said her account was consistent with evidence recovered at the home.
Three other children were either inside the house or returned home around the time Barrett was discovered. An infant was unharmed, and two school-aged children who returned around the time of the discovery were also physically unharmed. Walsh's husband was out of state and flew home Tuesday evening.
Walsh's attorney said in a statement reported by ABC7 Chicago that Walsh “was experiencing a psychotic episode” and described the case as a tragedy for the entire family.
Walsh remains in custody while receiving medical treatment. Once medically cleared, she is expected to be transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility for a detention hearing. Prosecutors are seeking to have her held without pretrial release.
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