A Chicago mother who allegedly believed her three children were “possessed by the devil” attempted to murder them, killing one, age four, after plunging a knife into the boy’s chest, before setting fire to the family home, according to local officials.
Wendy Tolbert, 45, is accused of fatally stabbing her 4-year-old son, Jordan Wallace, on Friday morning at their home in Chicago’s Logan Square neighbourhood, according to local NBC affiliate WMAQ.
Prosecutors revealed details about the morning attack in court on Sunday, as Tolbert faced murder, attempted murder, arson, and other charges.
According to WMAQ, Tolbert allegedly targeted her 10-year-old son first while he was playing video games with the 4-year-old victim, stabbing him in the right arm.
According to prosecutors, she then allegedly targeted the 4-year-old and stabbed him more than three dozen times before moving on to her 13-year-old daughter as she attempted to call 911 and flee.
Tolbert is accused of attacking her three children before starting a fire and leaving the house. After responding to reports of a fire, police and firefighters discovered the children inside the home.
“I got this child yelling for help out the basement window,” an officer was heard saying in an emergency response call, according to ABC affiliate WLS. “We are trying to get her out the window. “I can see blood.”
Tolbert was discovered at the scene and arrested, allegedly telling investigators that she went after her children because they were “possessed by the devil,” according to WMAQ.
She is been charged with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, six counts of felony aggravated arson, and several counts of aggravated battery.
“It was devastating,” neighbour Angie Perez told WLS.
“These lives are ruined,” she explained. “There is no happiness from here on for them.”
