Illinois mother charged with killing toddler son hours after discussing Lindsay Clancy trial

Corie Walsh, 40, was charged with three counts of first-degree murder after her son Barrett was found dead in the basement of the family's Frankfort, Illinois home last Tuesday. A neighbor discovered the boy and administered CPR while calling 911.

• Barrett, 2, was found hanging from a rafter with a ligature around his neck.
• Walsh texted friends about the Clancy trial until approximately 12:30 p.m. that day.
• An autopsy found Barrett died from asphyxia due to ligature compression of the neck.
• Walsh allegedly told officers she killed Barrett because he was the "devil" and the "anti-Christ."

Why it matters: Prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention, alleging Walsh made statements about harming her other children and her husband. Three other children were unharmed; her husband was out of state at the time.

• Walsh was found in a bloody bathtub with cuts to her wrists and thighs; injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
• The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services said it had no prior record of contact with the family.

How 18 sources split on this story

Where they split: Prosecutors have charged Walsh with murder; her attorney argues she was in a psychotic episode and was not criminally responsible.

What’s next: Walsh is set to appear in court for a detention hearing; she is held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

• Forensic analysis of Walsh's phone is ongoing, prosecutors said.
• Authorities have not alleged the Clancy trial caused or contributed to the killing — whether any connection will be established remains unknown.
• The outcome of Walsh's competency and criminal-responsibility evaluation has not been reported.
• Whether Walsh will face a retrial or plea in the Clancy case, which ended in mistrial the same week, remains unresolved.