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 has reported a tragic incident involving Wendy Tolbert, 46, who is accused of stabbing her 4-year-old son, Jordan Wallace, 36 times. She also injured her 10-year-old son with a stab to the arm and attacked her 13-year-old daughter, causing injuries to her face, chest, and back. Sadly, Jordan did not survive the attack, and Tolbert’s daughter is currently hospitalized and in critical condition.
Tolbert was also accused of setting their home on fire during Friday’s incident.
According to the report, Tolbert’s 10-year-old son was engaged in playing video games while his younger brother, Wallace, slept nearby on the couch. Tolbert allegedly approached them stealthily with a knife and a metal blade in her possession, stabbing the older child in the arm. This prompted him to flee to the basement, as detailed by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Wallace, awakened by the assault, attempted to escape. A report from WFLD mentions that Tolbert allegedly kicked him down the basement stairs before continuing to stab him multiple times in the face, chest, and back. The older boy managed to make it to his room that is adjacent to his 13-year-old sister’s room, where they quickly formulated an escape strategy.
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.
[Feature Photo: Facebook; Chicago police]
