Idaho Mother Accused of Murdering Twins, Blaming Vaccines, Receives Trauma Therapy in Jail
Andrea Shaw, charged in the deaths of her 18-month-old twins, is reportedly receiving specialized therapy and daily video calls with family while awaiting trial.
An Idaho mother accused of smothering her twin toddlers has access to specialized trauma therapy and frequent video calls with her family while incarcerated, according to a report from The New York Times.
Andrea Shaw, 23, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of her 18-month-old son, Dallas, and daughter, Tyson. The twins were found dead in their bed on May 1, 2025. Prosecutors allege Shaw smothered the children, a claim supported by autopsy findings of pulmonary vascular congestion and edema, consistent with suffocation.
Shaw, however, maintains that the twins died as a result of adverse reactions to vaccines, including Hepatitis A, DTaP, and influenza shots. She previously voiced these concerns on the Children's Health Defense podcast, an organization formerly chaired by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Despite her claims, prosecutors have stated that medical experts have ruled out vaccines as a cause of death. Payette County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Duke indicated that Shaw's story changed throughout the investigation, contrasting with her husband's consistent account, which suggested her involvement.
While awaiting trial at Payette County Jail, Shaw's defense attorney, Joe Filicetti, has arranged for her to participate in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a treatment designed to alleviate distress from traumatic memories. These sessions occur with a glass barrier between Shaw and her therapist and can cost between $100 and $350 per session. Additionally, Shaw reportedly has multiple daily video calls with her husband and her three-month-old daughter, as well as receiving books to occupy her time.
Shaw has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her initial $2 million bond was revoked, and her trial is scheduled to begin in January 2027. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison, or the death penalty. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies the vaccines Shaw cited as safe and effective, with serious reactions being extremely rare.