On Friday, an Illinois woman allegedly stabbed three of her children — killing her 4-year-old son — before setting their home on fire.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Wendy Tolbert, 46, stabbed her 4-year-old son, Jordan Wallace, 36 times, and stabbed her 10-year-old son in the arm and her 13-year-old daughter in the face, chest, and back. Wallace died, while Tolbert’s daughter remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Tolbert was also accused of setting their home on fire during Friday’s incident.
Tolbert’s 10-year-old son was playing video games with Wallace sleeping next to him on the couch when she allegedly approached them from behind, holding a knife in one hand and a metal blade in the other. She then stabbed her older son in the arm, leading him to run to the basement, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Wallace woke up during the attack and tried to run away. Tolbert reportedly kicked Wallace down the basement stairs before repeatedly stabbing him in the face, chest, and back. According to WFLD, the older boy ran to his room, which shares a wall with his 13-year-old sister. There, they devised an escape plan.
Tolbert’s daughter called 911 twice, a minute apart. Tolbert was banging on the bedroom door when her two children opened their doors at the same time and tried to subdue her. Tolbert allegedly stabbed her daughter in the face, neck, and chest.
Responding officers heard the 10-year-old yelling from an open basement window before spotting Tolbert — who was holding a knife and a burning paper towel. Police were arresting Tolbert when they saw smoke coming from her home and heard the smoke detectors going off.
WFLD reported that Tolbert admitted to stabbing her three children, claiming they were possessed by the devil. She allegedly also said she had cancer and schizophrenia.
Tolbert is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated arson, and battery. Prosecutors said she was recently diagnosed with cancer and has a history of mental health issues. They also claimed she used alcohol and lighting fluid to set three separate fires in her home on Friday.
“This is a dream. This is not real,” Tolbert commented in court on Sunday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The victims’ grandparents told the publication that Tolbert took the children’s phones before the attack.
Tolbert, who remains jailed, is due back in court on Monday.
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[Feature Photo: Facebook; Chicago police]
