FRANKFORT, ILLINOIS — Corie Walsh entered a not guilty plea to three counts of first-degree murder during a hearing on September 8. The Illinois woman is accused of murdering her 2-year-old son, Barrett Walsh, in Frankfort, Illinois.

An autopsy confirmed Barrett Walsh died of "asphyxia due to ligature compression of the neck." Court documents state that Corie Walsh confessed to killing Barrett Walsh and claimed he was the "anti-Christ" and "devil." Defense attorneys Andrea Lyon and Robert Kerr are seeking to have Corie Walsh released from jail and transferred to a hospital for psychiatric treatment. A judge previously refused the defense's request to transfer Corie Walsh to a hospital. Corie Walsh has remained in jail since her arrest on September 4.

Barrett Walsh died on September 1 after being found suspended by a ligature around his neck in the basement of the family home in Frankfort, Illinois. Barrett Walsh's two older siblings allegedly returned home around 4 p.m. on September 1 and found him with a rope around his neck and his feet off the ground. A neighbor called 911 and attempted CPR on Barrett Walsh, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police found Corie Walsh's 8-month-old son unsupervised on the main floor of the home. Officers discovered Corie Walsh fully clothed in a bathtub filled with bloodied water at the residence. Corie Walsh attempted suicide by slashing her wrists and thighs with a dull kitchen knife.

Defense attorney Robert Kerr stated that Corie Walsh was planning a Disney World vacation for her family and had reserved flights, rooms, dinner reservations, and park passes. Kerr said Corie Walsh told her mother hours before the incident that she was most excited for Barrett to go to Disney World due to his affection for the characters. Barrett Walsh had delayed speech, and his first words were "Bluey" and "Mickey Mouse." The child was affectionately called "Bear." His obituary described him as a child who loved singing and dancing to Super Simple Songs and Miss Rachel.

It stated he enjoyed learning colors with Pingfong and Hogi, kicking a soccer ball, and counting to 5 Little Duckies. Barrett Walsh is survived by his siblings Grady, Anna, and Cormick.

Defense attorney Andrea Lyon stated that Corie Walsh's jail records had been subpoenaed to determine if she is receiving necessary treatment. Lyon said, They love her and this is not — she’s never been violent… she was psychotic. They all know that and want her to get better.

This is not who she is. Michael Walsh, Corie Walsh's husband, attended a preliminary hearing and was observed crying. Tributes including stuffed animals, flowers, and hand-written notes were placed outside the Walsh home, and blue ribbons were wrapped around nearby trees.

Why It Matters

Corie Walsh is described as an Illinois woman allegedly obsessed with the Lindsay Clancy trial. Lindsay Clancy admitted to killing her three children, Cora, Dawson, and Callan, in January 2023. Lindsay Clancy argued she was suffering from postpartum psychosis when she killed her children. Judge William Sullivan declared a mistrial in Lindsay Clancy's case on September 4 after the jury reported they were deadlocked.

Timeline

Police discovered Corie Walsh fully clothed in a bathtub filled with bloodied water at the residence.

What's New

Juror Nick Dargie stated that a single juror prevented the panel from unanimously finding Lindsay Clancy not guilty by lack of criminal responsibility. Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz stated outside the courthouse, "In the end, I bring it all back to the child victims in this case – Cora, Dawson, and Callan. This was and has always been about getting justice for those three little babies." Lindsay Clancy's defense attorneys filed a motion asking Judge Sullivan to enter a finding of not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility.

Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney Kevin Reddington filed a motion requesting cellphone records for holdout juror Michael P. Desronvil. Lindsay Clancy's defense attorneys filed a motion arguing that declaring a mistrial without manifest necessity violated her rights against double jeopardy.