Lindsay Clancy, a 35-year-old former labor and delivery nurse, is on trial for the murders of her three children: Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and 8-month-old Callan. Her attorney argues that she should not be held criminally responsible due to her struggles with postpartum psychosis and extreme mental illness.

Testimony Reveals Descent into Madness

Patrick Clancy, Lindsay’s ex-husband, testified about her downward spiral, which began after the birth of their third child in May 2022. He described how she became increasingly anxious and depressed, seeking treatment from multiple doctors and trying various medications.

Despite her efforts to get help, Lindsay’s mental health continued to deteriorate. In December 2022, she started taking a new antipsychotic medication, which her ex-husband said marked the beginning of her ‘big spiral.’ She became suicidal and experienced ‘intrusive thoughts’ about harming their children.

On January 24, 2023, Patrick Clancy returned home from running errands to find his children lying motionless in the basement, each with an exercise resistance band around their neck. He called 911 and waited with his wife, who had attempted to take her own life, for help to arrive.

A Tragic End to a Desperate Cry for Help

The trial is expected to focus on the issue of postpartum mental illness and whether Lindsay Clancy was criminally responsible for her actions. Prosecutors argue that she acted intentionally and rationally, while her defense team claims that she was in the grip of a severe mental illness.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.