Chicago mother charged with stabbing 3 kids, 1 fatally, starting fire, police say
New details revealed in Logan Square stabbing, fire
Court documents say Wendy Tolbert first attacked her 10-year-old son before stabbing her four-year-old son to death in their Logan Square home on July 4th.
CHICAGO - A 46-year-old woman was charged with stabbing her three children, killing a 4-year-old boy, and setting a home on fire in Logan Square last week.
Wendy Tolbert was charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, six counts of aggravated arson, two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, two counts of aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, and aggravated battery to a child, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Wendy Tolbert (Chicago Police Department)
What we know:
Police said Tolbert allegedly fatally stabbed the boy, identified as Jordan Wallace, in the chest last Friday.
The boy was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
She also allegedly stabbed a 13-year-old girl multiple times in the face, chest, and back, and a 10-year-old boy in the right arm.
Tolbert also allegedly set the home in the 3600 block of W. Palmer Street on fire while the children were inside, according to a police report.
A 31-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man from nearby residences were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Three responding officers were also taken to nearby hospitals for smoke inhalation.
During interviews with police, Tolbert admitted to stabbing her children. She told the police that her children were possessed by the devil.
Tolbert also reported that she has cancer and schizophrenia.
Incident details:
According to court documents, the 10-year-old was sitting on a couch in the first floor living room playing video games with his 4-year-old brother sleeping next to him at 9:00 a.m. The 13-year-old was in her bedroom in the basement.
Tolbert approached the 10-year-old from behind with a knife and stabbed him in the arm. The victim tried to push Tolbert away and ran towards the stairs to the basement. As this was happening, the 4-year-old woke up and tried to follow his brother to the stairs but was stabbed by Tolbert. Tolbert then kicked the 4-year-old in the back, causing the child to fall down the stairs. Tolbert stabbed the 4-year-old in the back, face, and chest. The 10-year-old ran to his room, which shares a wall with his 13-year-old sister's room. They talked through the wall and came up with a plan to escape.
At 9:01 a.m., the 13-year-old called 911 and reported that her mother was trying to kill her. The victim called again a minute later. Tolbert banged on the bedroom door so the 13-year-old and 10-year-old came up with a plan to open their doors at the same time. They tried to fight back. Tolbert stabbed the 13-year-old multiple times in the face, neck, and chest.
At 9:20 a.m., Chicago police arrived at the scene and walked through the gangway. They heard the 10-year-old calling through the open basement window. They saw Tolbert with a knife in her right hand and a paper towel that was on fire in her left hand. As the police were putting Tolbert into custody, smoke began to leak out the windows of the building and trigger the smoke alarms.
Within minutes, the building was engulfed in flames.
Police broke several windows to free the 10-year-old from the burning building. Ultimately, officers went through a window to rescue him. Officers found the 13-year-old unresponsive and pulled her out through another window. They also got the 4-year-old out.
The other residents of the building escaped. One had to go to the hospital for smoke inhalation. A Chicago Police officer was also treated for smoke inhalation.
The 13-year-old victim sustained lacerations to her face, upper body, neck, and back. She had multiple surgeries to repair the damage. She is intubated and in critical condition.
The 10-year-old victim suffered a large gash on his arm. He has been treated and released.
The 4-year-old was taken to the hospital. He was stabbed 36 times and died as a result of his injuries.
Tolbert was taken to the hospital but had no signs of injury.
During interviews with police, Tolbert admitted to stabbing her children. She told the police that her children were possessed by the devil.
Fire marshals determined the fire started on the first floor of the apartment. Accelerants were found in three locations on the first floor by a K9 Unit. Lighter fluid and a bottle of rubbing alcohol were recovered from the scene.
The fire spread to the building next door and caused multiple tenants to be displaced.
What's next:
Tolbert was expected to appear in court for a detention hearing on Sunday.