Patrick Clancy pleaded for at least one of his children to survive after the tragic death of his three young children. In an emotional conversation with CBS News’ Ross Douthat, he detailed holding baby Callan as he passed away and explained his decision to forgive Lindsay, despite the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding the loss of their children.
The interview took place following the mistrial in Lindsay’s case, where her lawyers claimed she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and lacked criminal responsibility, while the prosecution argued she was aware of her actions. Patrick provided insight into how this tragedy has transformed every aspect of his life, recounting both his desperate moments at the hospital and the negative online discourse that emerged after the trial.
‘Just give me one’
In the moments after finding his children—5-year-old Cora and 3-year-old Dawson—unresponsive in their Duxbury, Massachusetts home, Patrick held onto the hope that Callan might survive. He remembered the doctors briefly reviving Callan’s heartbeat and pictured the life he could offer his youngest child. “I remember just thinking, ‘Just give me one. Just give me one kid,’” he said, expressing his desire to provide a loving home while sharing stories of his siblings.
However, that hope dwindled when Patrick arrived at Boston Children’s Hospital and saw a doctor’s grave expression. As Callan’s heart continued to beat for four days, Patrick recounted the emotional farewell he had with his son, allowing him to rest in his arms as he passed away.
“I said, ‘I’m so sorry,’” Patrick recalled, emotionally sharing how he laid beside Callan in his final moments. He felt compelled to write memories of all three children, to ensure they wouldn’t fade with time.
Lindsay never asked for forgiveness
In his writings, Patrick expressed forgiveness for Lindsay, noting that she never asked for it. He explained that despite the horrific act she committed, he chose to forgive her, recognizing the impact of her mental illness. Patrick was burdened by anger but understood that harboring resentment would only hurt him more. He described a conversation in which Lindsay recounted the events of that day in a dreamlike state, which he interpreted as a sign of her broken mental state.
He confronted the public’s portrayal of Lindsay as a “killer mom” or “monster,” arguing that these labels do not reflect the reality of her mental struggles. Patrick emphasized the need to focus on perinatal mental health to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
Grief left him unsure he would survive
As Patrick navigated his overwhelming grief, he wrestled with thoughts of whether he would even see another birthday. At one point, he mentioned feeling resigned to the idea of not celebrating his 35th birthday due to his deep sadness. Seeking solace, he relocated to New York City, where he could mourn privately. On what would have been Callan’s first birthday, he visited St. Patrick’s Cathedral, lighting a candle and speaking to his son.
In Manhattan, he found a sense of freedom to openly cry without drawing attention, which he found comforting. His new home is filled with reminders of his children, like toys and photos, and he experiences vivid dreams where he connects with them.
‘Trial by TikTok’ fueled painful attacks
The mistrial also opened the floodgates to harmful online speculation, which Patrick described as a “trial by TikTok.” Many distasteful accusations suggested he was uncaring or even complicit in his children’s deaths, leading to a painful public experience. He expressed that these claims detracted from the real issue of mental health and inflicted harm on innocent lives.
A new marriage and keeping his children’s memory alive
In the interview, Patrick’s current wife, Dr. Rachel Danis, shared how they met through a running club and eventually found love after Patrick revealed his children’s story. When Rachel first saw a picture of his kids, he had to explain their tragic fate. As Patrick and Rachel look toward the future—possibly starting their own family—Patrick expressed his deep desire to ensure the memory of Cora, Dawson, and Callan lives on in their lives.
Discussing what he’d tell a future child about their siblings, he reflected on how every child holds a unique place within the family structure. “You have different relationships with your kids, but they’re all your kids,” he commented, expressing his eagerness to share his children’s stories with them.
The trial officially ended in mistrial with jurors divided, leading to uncertainty about the prosecution’s next steps regarding Lindsay Clancy as the community continued to grapple with the devastating impact of the events.
