Illinois mother held in custody for alleged murder of 2-year-old son

Corie Walsh, 40, was ordered to remain in custody during her first court appearance in Will County, Illinois, following charges of first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old son, Barrett Walsh.

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on Sept. 1 in Frankfort. Authorities report that a neighbor discovered the child without a pulse in the family basement and attempted CPR. Walsh was allegedly found upstairs with a knife, making statements to officers that she had killed the toddler because he was the ‘devil’ and the ‘Antichrist.’ An 8-month-old infant was also found unsupervised in the home but was unharmed.

Judge Amy Bertani denied Walsh's request for release, stating there was ‘clear and convincing evidence’ of her involvement and that she posed a ‘clear and present threat’ to her husband and other children. Walsh is being represented by attorneys Robert Kerr and Andrea Lyon. Lyon has stated that her client was suffering from a ‘psychotic episode’ at the time of the alleged killing.