Corie Walsh, 40, the Illinois mother charged in the death of her 2-year-old son, Barrett, pleaded not guilty while her husband watched from the courtroom. Prosecutors have also accused her of plotting to poison him.
Walsh appeared Thursday at a preliminary hearing in the case, where her husband, Michael Walsh, was also present.
Prosecutors allege that Walsh strangled Barrett and left him hanging from a rafter before attempting to take her own life Sept. 1 during what they described as a “psychotic episode.” After Thursday’s hearing, her attorney, Andrea Lyon, said Walsh’s family attended to support her.
“They love her and this is not — she’s never been violent… she was psychotic,” Lyon said, according to the New York Post. “They all know that and want her to get better. This is not who she is.”
Michael Walsh leaves Will County Courthouse on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Joliet, Illinois. Walsh’s wife, Corie Walsh, was arraigned today on charges of murder in the death of their 2-year-old son on Sept. 1. (Kamil Krzaczynski for News Outlet)
Lyon previously told News Outlet that Michael Walsh has continued to stand by his wife during the case.
Corie A. Walsh, 38, in a booking photo provided by law enforcement. (Will County Detention Facility)
Michael Walsh leaves the Will County Courthouse after his wife’s hearing on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Joliet, Illinois. (Kamil Krzaczynski for News Outlet)
In addition to accusing Walsh of killing her son, prosecutors say she plotted to poison her husband “amid a fixation with the Lindsay Clancy trial.”
A family portrait showing Corie Walsh, left, alongside her booking mugshot following her arrest on first-degree murder charges in Will County, Illinois. (Facebook/Corie Walsh ; Will County Detention Facility)
Michael Walsh arrives at Will County Courthouse on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Joliet, Illinois. (Kamil Krzaczynski for News Outlet)
Lyon, who previously represented Casey Anthony, said at a post-hearing news conference that her legal team had subpoenaed Walsh’s treatment records from the jail where she is being held, the Post reported.
Michael Walsh arrives at Will County Courthouse in Joliet, Illinois. (Kamil Krzaczynski for News Outlet)
Walsh’s defense is seeking her release to a hospital for treatment before trial.
News Outlet previously reported that a judge denied Walsh’s release earlier this month, finding it would be “too dangerous” after prosecutors argued she posed a threat to her husband and their three surviving children.
Corie Walsh’s husband leaves the Will County Courthouse after her hearing on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Joliet, Illinois. (Kamil Krzaczynski for News Outlet)
“Her whole family is here today — her husband, mother, mother’s best friend,” Lyon said Thursday.
“At today’s hearing, Ms. Walsh entered a plea of not guilty. The defense continues to seek her release so she can receive appropriate psychiatric treatment. We have no additional comment at this time,” Lyon told News Outlet.
News Outlet contacted Michael Walsh for comment.






