Corie Walsh, an Illinois mother accused of killing her 2-year-old son, also had plans to poison and kill her husband, prosecutors stated Tuesday during her first court appearance. Walsh, 40, faces charges of killing her son, Barrett, and allegedly made statements about "poisoning [her husband] with a drink," using multiple prescription bottles, according to NBC 5 Chicago.
Prosecutors revealed these alleged plot details during a bail hearing. Walsh also reportedly attempted to take her own life and, at one point, was delusional, believing she had killed her three other children. Her defense attorney, Robert Kerr, told the court that Walsh was "severely mentally ill" and doctors recommended immediate care to prevent self-harm. The defense maintained she was experiencing a "psychotic episode" when she allegedly hanged Barrett, who died from asphyxia, and requested she remain in medical care.
Walsh's case drew public attention after prosecutors noted she had been discussing the high-profile trial of Lindsay Clancy shortly before her son's death. Clancy's triple-murder case had recently ended in a mistrial. However, Walsh's attorneys sought to distance her from Clancy, with Kerr calling any comparison "sickening."
In the hours before her son was found dead, Walsh sent friends "confusing" and "out of character" messages, suggesting she believed Clancy's husband, not Clancy, was responsible for killing their children. Walsh wrote to friends, "It was manslaughter, please I’m really freaking out," during jury deliberations for the Clancy trial. Shortly after, Barrett was discovered dead, and Walsh was found in a bathtub with wounds to her wrists and thighs.
Following the alleged killing, Walsh was diagnosed with "grief psychotic disorder" at the hospital, according to her attorney. Walsh's husband was not present in court, but her attorney stated he has "unwavering" support for her and has cooperated with police and social workers.