CHICAGO (WGN) — Prosecutors have brought murder and arson charges against a woman accused of stabbing her three children, one fatally, and setting fire to their Logan Square home on Friday.
Officers were called to the home in the 3600 block of West Palmer Street shortly after 9 a.m. on a report of a person with a knife.
Police say 45-year-old Wendy Tolbert used a knife to attack her three children: a 4-year-old boy, a 10-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl.
As authorities investigated the attack, fire crews battled the fire at the home, which at one point was raised to two alarms. Crews were eventually able to get the flames under control by around 11:30 a.m. after it spread to a nearby home.
During a court hearing, prosecutors say Tolbert admitted to stabbing the children, kicking the youngest down the stairs and chasing the older two. During the attack, the oldest child called 911 twice.
According to court records, Tolbert told police she thought her children were possessed by the devil.
Prosecutors also said the 4-year-old boy was stabbed 36 times. He passed away at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County. The 10-year-old has been treated and released from the hospital while the 13-year-old remains in critical condition.
