A mother, Corie Walsh, who is under investigation for the alleged murder of her 2-year-old son, reportedly sang a song from “The Wizard of Oz” while being questioned by police. Authorities revealed that rather than addressing the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of her son, Barrett, Walsh chose to perform “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” during the interrogation, as noted in court documents.
Walsh, 40, faces charges of first-degree murder. Her two older children reportedly found their sibling hanging with a rope tied around his neck in the family home located in Frankfurt, approximately 30 miles from Chicago, and ran to a neighbor for assistance, according to the court records. The neighbor called 911 and attempted CPR, but the boy was cold and had no pulse, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy later determined that Barrett, affectionately called “Bear,” died from asphyxia resulting from ligature compression of the neck.
In the midst of her haunting performance, Walsh allegedly admitted to killing her son, claiming he was the “anti-Christ” and “devil.” Disturbingly, she was found fully clothed in a bathtub filled with bloody water and had attempted to take her own life by cutting her wrists and thighs.
When police arrived, she was reportedly so disoriented that she believed she had harmed all four of her children, including an 8-month-old baby discovered unattended at the home. In her confessions, she also indicated plans to poison her husband and had several prescriptions in her possession, as outlined by prosecutors.
The disturbing events occurred shortly after Walsh sent friends perplexing and unusual text messages concerning the trial of Lindsay Clancy, who is on trial for the murder of her children. Walsh expressed her belief that Clancy’s husband, not Clancy herself, had committed the crimes.
Prosecutors have alleged that Walsh had an obsession with Clancy, whose trial drew national attention, especially the defense’s argument that Clancy was suffering from postpartum psychosis when she killed her children. Walsh had sent a friend a text stating, “It was manslaughter, please I’m really freaking out,” while discussions in Clancy’s case were ongoing.
Defense attorneys for Walsh argue that she was experiencing severe mental illness and undergoing a “psychotic episode” at the time of the incident, which aligns with the arguments made by Clancy’s legal team during her trial that concluded in a hung jury.
However, Walsh’s attorney dismissed claims that she was mimicking Clancy, calling the suggestion “sickening” during her recent court appearance. Attorney Robert Kerr criticized the notion of linking Walsh to Clancy as an oversimplified assumption.
Despite pleas for Walsh to receive immediate mental health care to prevent further self-harm, the judge ruled for her detention, stating that she posed a danger to her surviving children and husband. Walsh’s husband, who was away during the tragic events, is reportedly offering steadfast support and is cooperating with authorities and social services, according to her attorney.
Kerr did not respond to requests for comments, and the Will County District Attorney’s Office does not provide commentary on ongoing cases.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 24.
