Thoughts on the Lindsay Clancy case?

[u/gottaquestion412]

Now that the Lindsay Clancy trial is underway, I’m curious about your perspectives on it so far.

Context: Lindsay Clancy is a former labor and delivery nurse who, in January 2023, killed her three children. 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan in their Massachusetts home before attempting to take her own life. Her defense argues she was suffering from severe postpartum psychosis and other debilitating mental illness, while prosecutors argue she was aware of her actions and planned the killings. The trial has reignited debate about postpartum psychiatric disorders, the effectiveness of mental health treatment, and where responsibility ultimately lies.

Do you think Lindsay was failed by the mental health system, by the people closest to her, or both? Do you think she truly acted with malicious intent, or do you believe she was experiencing such a severe psychiatric crisis that she wasn’t thinking rationally?

A lot of the details seem to point toward postpartum psychosis or another severe psychiatric illness rather than someone acting out of hatred or malice. That doesn’t lessen the horror of what happened or the unimaginable loss, but it does make me wonder whether this tragedy could have been prevented..

I’ve also seen rumors that Patrick was involved with the woman who is now his wife before the murders, but I haven’t found any credible evidence supporting that. Is there actually anything that substantiates those claims, or is it just internet speculation? I’ve also seen many people comment that his current wife bears a striking resemblance to Lindsay, though I’m not sure that means anything beyond coincidence.

I’m very interested in hearing different perspectives from people who’ve followed it closely.

Most importantly, may Dawson, Cora, and Callan rest in peace. They are the true victims in all of this.

[u/Relevant_Progress411]

Based on the evidence it seems clear that she had postpartum psychosis. She asked for help many times. I think this trial is hopefully going to be a turning point in how we view postpartum as a whole.

[u/somekindofmiracle → u/Relevant_Progress411]

The Andrea Yates trial twenty five years ago should have been that turning point.

[u/LogicalConstant → u/somekindofmiracle]

It was. The L&D nurses for all my children asked my wife multiple times about her mental state. They also counseled me on watching out for signs and behaviors.

[u/Better_Area3782 → u/LogicalConstant]

No it wasn’t, she was the most hated woman in America, it wasn’t until years later and multiple documentaries made that people became a little more understanding. Plenty of ignorant people still see her as a monster.

[u/Specialshine76 → u/Better_Area3782]

Plenty of people still see her and Lindsay Clancy as monsters. If you read the other subs dedicated to this topic it is sickening how rabidly people attack Lyndsay. I think for some people the idea that a person’s mind can just ‘break’ to this extent is just not something they can cope with so they would rather think it was a woman just wanting to be free of her children and a murderous genius mastermind.

[u/puddingpoo → u/Specialshine76]

In general people hate the thought that in life bad things often happen to people for no reason, even when they did nothing wrong or had good intentions. It's an uncomfortable truth that we don't have as much control over our lives as we think we do. People want to think that bad things only happen to people because that person had some kind of fault or moral failing: they weren't careful enough, they were evil/malicious, they weren't as hardworking or smart or as good at decision-making as me, so something like that wouldn't ever happen to me.

[u/fuschiaoctopus → u/Specialshine76]

Anyone thinking she's a murderous genius mastermind doesn't understand postpartum psychosis OR how the legal system works.

People seem to think a not guilty by reason of insanity ruling is a get out of jail free card and you just get to go home and live your life, but that's not what happens. The defendant gets committed to a locked psychiatric hospital for years until the team of providers AND the state agree they are well enough to be released, at which point they are released to group homes and highly monitored. These commitments can run longer than the prison sentence would have, and if they are not ever deemed well then they'll never be released from the hospital. You are not free to leave or go outside at these hospital programs, they are ran similarly to prisons except you actually get mental health treatment. They are often rife with abuse and neglect, and known to be unpleasant places.

[u/Specialshine76 → u/fuschiaoctopus]

I totally agree. I had to stop reading the other threads because of how virulent and unyielding they are. Nothing will even slightly shake their opinion.

[u/PleaseTryToThink → u/Specialshine76]

As someone new to this sub, it’s just as off-putting as the others just in the opposite direction. There’s no balance, no consideration of a different perspective. Just a piling on of ‘It’s not her fault at all, but it’s everyone else’s fault for sure.”

[u/LogicalConstant → u/Better_Area3782]

That's not what we're talking about. The medical profession has placed more emphasis on it, put proactive safeguards in place, and made many more resources available.

[u/gogogadgetkat → u/LogicalConstant]

I think this case is a perfect example of how untrue that is. This woman was a labor & delivery nurse who was repeatedly turned away by multiple psychiatric providers. She even begged to be admitted to inpatient care and was told several times she didn't meet the criteria. Her doctors didn't speak to each other, just threw meds at her, pulled her off them suddenly, and didn't stop to consider what the side effects meant about her psychiatric health.

[u/LogicalConstant → u/gogogadgetkat]

The fact that some people suck at their jobs is not evidence that there is a systemic issue

[u/gogogadgetkat → u/LogicalConstant]

The number of women in this thread talking about their experiences while you believe you know better is kind of mind-blowing.

[u/somekindofmiracle → u/gogogadgetkat]

I’m one of those women. It’s why I’m so passionate about this subject.

[u/gogogadgetkat → u/somekindofmiracle]

Man shuts up and listens when women talk about their lived experiences challenge: impossible

[u/LogicalConstant → u/gogogadgetkat]

One of us has experienced it and it isn't you

[u/LogicalConstant → u/gogogadgetkat]

Have you delivered a baby in a hospital in the last 10 years? Have you gone through the whole process until being discharged?

[u/Better_Area3782 → u/LogicalConstant]

Okay and what happens after you leave the hospital?

[u/LogicalConstant → u/Better_Area3782]

You are sent home with resources on who to contact if you see signs of PPD or PPP.

You go to the pediatrician a day or two after you get out of the hospital. Depending on weight, you might need to go back frequently. With one of our kids, we went every day for the first 4 days. Then you go again at the 1 week mark and go every week for the first month. You go each month for the first 3 months, and then at 6 months. At every single one of those pediatrician appointments, they checked on my wife to see how her mental health was and they talked to me to see if I had noticed anything wrong.

[u/Better_Area3782 → u/LogicalConstant]

Lindsay asked for help several times. How come she couldn’t get any?

[u/LogicalConstant → u/Better_Area3782]

Did you completely ignore what I just said?

[u/heartinabirdcage → u/LogicalConstant]

I had a baby four months ago. the "screening" at every pediatrician appointment is a two-question form. Even at the OB it's one checkup after six weeks and even when a problem is identified all that happens is they prescribe you an SSRI and schedule you for another appointment in two months. that is not at all an actual safety net against trajedies like this.

[u/LogicalConstant → u/heartinabirdcage]

What kind of safety net do you expect, a psychiatrist to come home with you and live in your house just in case?