Illinois Mum Allegedly Hangs 2-Year-Old Son She Called the 'Devil' After Tracking Lindsay Clancy Case

An Illinois mother has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the death of her 2-year-old son at their home in Frankfort on Tuesday, 1 September, according to police and prosecutors. Corie A. Walsh is accused of killing Barrett Walsh, while prosecutors allege she later told investigators she believed the child was the 'devil' and the 'anti-Christ.'

For context, prosecutors have also said witnesses told investigators that Walsh had recently become 'very invested' in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial in Massachusetts and had discussed the case with friends hours before Barrett was found. Authorities have not established that Walsh's interest in the Clancy case caused or inspired the alleged killing.

Prosecutors Detail Allegations in Barrett Walsh's Death

Frankfort police were called to the 22700 block of Brook Stone Court at about 4:04 p.m. on 1 September after a report of an unresponsive child. Prosecutors said a neighbour had found Barrett in the basement and was attempting CPR when officers arrived.

The child was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Prosecutors said preliminary findings cited in their detention filing attributed his death to asphyxia caused by ligature compression of the neck. Police had previously said the final cause and manner of death remained subject to further investigation.

In a petition seeking to deny Walsh pretrial release, prosecutors alleged that she made statements to investigators about Barrett's death. They said Walsh told officers she had killed her son because she believed he was the 'devil' and the 'anti-Christ.' Prosecutors also alleged that a later account she gave investigators was consistent with evidence collected in the case.

Those statements form part of the prosecution case and have not been tested at trial. Walsh is presumed innocent unless and until she is proved guilty.

Police said Walsh was found injured elsewhere in the home and was taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities described her injuries as self-inflicted. Three other children connected to the household were reported unharmed.

Walsh's attorney, Andrea Lyon, has said the defence position is that Walsh 'was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time this happened.' That assertion is a defence claim and has not been established by a court.

Lindsay Clancy Trial Forms Part of Prosecutors' Timeline

Prosecutors said witnesses told investigators Walsh had recently become focused on the Clancy case. According to the detention filing as reported by local media, she was discussing the trial in a group text with friends until about 12:30 p.m. on 1 September, several hours before police were called to the Frankfort home.

Clancy had been standing trial in Massachusetts over the deaths of her three children in 2023. Her lawyers argued that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and should be found not guilty by reason of insanity. Prosecutors argued that she acted intentionally and was able to appreciate the wrongfulness of her actions.

The Clancy trial ended in a mistrial on Friday, 4 September, after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The charges against Clancy remain pending, meaning the criminal case has not been resolved.

The timing of Walsh's reported messages is part of prosecutors' account of events surrounding Barrett's death. However, no publicly reported evidence establishes that the Clancy case caused Walsh's alleged actions, and the two criminal cases remain separate.

CBS Chicago reported that Walsh was transferred to the Will County jail after receiving medical treatment. Her first court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday, 8 September. Prosecutors are seeking to keep her detained pending trial.

The prosecution's allegations, including Walsh's alleged statements and the circumstances surrounding Barrett's death, remain to be tested through the judicial process.