Illinois Murder Case
Illinois mother faces three murder counts in the tragic death of her toddler son.
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Key Points
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Prosecutors said Walsh faces a potential sentence of 60 to 100 years if convicted, based on the age of the victim.
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The neighbor told police the child’s feet were off the ground when she found him hanging from a device attached to a basement rafter; she removed the ligature, lowered him and began CPR, but said he was cold and had no pulse.
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The State’s Attorney’s Office characterized Walsh as “a specific, real and present threat to her husband and her living three children” in seeking to keep her detained before trial.
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The court filing said Walsh had cuts on her wrists and thighs; the neighbor reportedly took the knife from her hand and threw it into a sink before police recovered it as evidence.
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Police were dispatched to the home at about 4:04 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of an injured 2-year-old, according to the court documents.
An Illinois mother has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old son, Barrett "Bear" Walsh, who was found hanging in the family's Frankfort basement on Tuesday. Fox San Antonio reports that Corie Walsh, 40, told police she killed the boy because she believed he was "the devil" and "the anti-Christ." A neighbor removed the ligature and attempted CPR, but the child died from asphyxia caused by ligature compression of the neck.
Walsh was discovered injured in an upstairs bathtub with cuts on her wrists and thighs after allegedly harming herself with a knife. Her three other children—an infant and two older kids—were unharmed. Prosecutors say Walsh could face 60 to 100 years in prison if convicted. Her attorney claims she was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the alleged killing.
The Discovery and Emergency Response
Police arrived at the home around 4:04 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of an injured 2-year-old. Fox San Antonio reports the neighbor found the child hanging from a device attached to a basement rafter with his feet off the ground. She removed the ligature, lowered him to the ground, and began CPR, but said he was already cold and had no pulse. The medical examiner determined death resulted from asphyxia caused by ligature compression.
What Walsh Told Police About the Killing
According to court filings, Fox San Antonio reports that Walsh told police she killed her son because she thought he was "the devil" and "the anti-Christ." Prosecutors say Walsh later described the killing while hospitalized. Court documents also note that Walsh had been heavily focused on the Massachusetts trial of Lindsay Clancy and was discussing it with friends shortly before the incident occurred. These statements are now part of the evidence prosecutors are using against her.
Prosecutors Seek to Keep Walsh Detained Before Trial
The State's Attorney's Office is asking the court to deny Walsh pretrial release, describing her as "a specific, real and present threat to her husband and her living three children." Fox San Antonio reports prosecutors allege Walsh made statements about potentially harming her husband and other children. The presence of three surviving unharmed children underscores prosecutors' concerns about access to potential victims. Walsh's husband was out of state at the time of the incident.
Walsh's defense attorney argues she was experiencing a psychotic episode when she killed her son. Mental health assessments and psychiatric evaluations will likely play a key role in upcoming hearings. However, a psychosis claim does not automatically excuse criminal responsibility under Illinois law. Courts will examine whether Walsh understood the nature of her actions and their wrongfulness at the time.
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