Mother claimed her children were “possessed” so she stabbed her 4-year-old son 36 times with a butcher knife, killing him, and injured the others before setting the home on fire; charged
Illinois – In a deeply disturbing case that has shaken Illinois residents, a 45-year-old mother, identified as W. Tolbert, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and arson after attacking her three children with a butcher knife, killing her 4-year-old son, and then setting their home on fire. Prosecutors say the woman claimed her children were “possessed” and needed to be stopped.
Tolbert is accused of stabbing her three children on the morning of July 4. The most severely injured was her 4-year-old son, who was stabbed 36 times and died as a result of his injuries. Her other two children—a 10-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl—survived the attack but remained hospitalized in critical condition, according to prosecutors. After attacking her children, Tolbert set the family’s home on fire, resulting in smoke inhalation injuries to two neighbors and three first responders who rushed to help.
Authorities arrived around 9 a.m. at the scene after receiving a 911 call from the 13-year-old daughter, who managed to contact emergency services during the attack. Police officers responding to the call reported hearing the children’s screams and forced entry into the burning residence to rescue them. Upon entering the home, officers discovered Tolbert holding a butcher knife, with her clothes soaked in blood, according to the police separtment. She was arrested at the scene and, during questioning, allegedly admitted to the stabbings, stating she believed her children were “possessed by the devil.” Prosecutors confirmed that the youngest child had been stabbed repeatedly in the chest, neck, and back. The sheer brutality of the attack was labeled “pure evil” by the judge overseeing the initial hearing.
Tolbert appeared in court on Sunday, where she was formally charged with 14 felonies, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, and arson. She did not enter a plea at the hearing. Her public defender noted that Tolbert is currently battling a deadly disease and has a history of mental illness. Despite this, the judge ordered her held without bail, describing her as a clear and present danger to others. Tolbert will undergo a court-ordered evaluation to assess both her mental and physical health. A health care order was approved to ensure she receives the necessary treatment while in custody. Her next court appearance is scheduled for this week.
The community is still reeling from the horrific incident. Residents and neighbors who knew Tolbert expressed disbelief at the charges. A longtime family friend, told local media, “I’ve been knowing Tolbert her whole life. I’ve never known her to harm anybody, or do anything. She loved her kids to death.” Despite the appearance of normalcy to some, the case has brought serious questions about mental health intervention and the safety of vulnerable children in high-risk households.
Police have yet to release additional details about the father of the children, whose whereabouts remain unknown. Child welfare officials are likely to become involved as the investigation into the family’s history continues. The tragedy has sparked renewed conversations about mental illness, domestic violence, and child protection services, particularly in cases where warning signs may have been missed. As of now, Tolbert remains in custody, facing a long legal road ahead as prosecutors build their case around the chilling confession and the devastating outcome of her actions.
