The Verdict Isn’t In

Warning: Sensitive topic of discussion.

Most of us on the internet in the last few weeks have followed the same story. That story being the trial of Lindsey Clancy. I just want to bluntly explain what happened. Lindsey strangled and killed each of her three children. That is what is believed according to evidence presented.

There are all kinds of angles being presented - saying maybe the husband did it. Blaming postpartum psychosis for what happened and also people who simply state they believe she intentionally and strategically killed her children. Someone asked me about this trial and if I had an opinion.

I realized this was something I am passionate about addressing. It’s actually not because I run a women’s ministry that talks about justice. My background has been years of working with women who did not want a child, could not believe they were mothers, and some who were simply really young to be a mom. Part of that work involved being involved in mental health initiatives for pregnant and postpartum women to ensure they could receive appropriate psychiatric services. 

So, I would like to address 3 different things with this story.

We are all made in the image of God.

To those saying “we are Lindsey Clancy” and wishing for her freedom. She destroyed the lives of three children. They will never live another day. No matter what her intent is - there are children that lost their lives by the very person created to nurture them.

To those saying “death to Lindsey Clancy”. You are equally wrong. We are all made in the image of God. There is justice and punishment - but to wish death on anyone, no matter the crime, is a lack of understanding of God’s grace. I suggest reading the story of Paul in the New Testament. He was a murderer and wrote part of the Bible. If you can’t believe in God’s grace, then you can’t believe parts of the Bible because of the people who were given its words by God.

Everything in this situation is sad. There are no winners. But, God’s grace is available to all.

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them…”

-Genesis 1:27

Postpartum Mental Health is a real and frequent problem.

I have sat in the room with a woman who told me she wanted to place her baby in the oven. She was very serious about it. I also knew that she had an extremely traumatic childhood and was diagnosed with multiple mental health disorders. Doctors and social workers were monitoring her due to this. Unfortunately, it’s a situation I encounter frequently. Women with mental health diagnoses who sat in their pregnancy wondering if they shouldn’t take medication because of affects on the babies and equally scared that they couldn’t be an appropriate mother without the dangerous medication.

Through my work, I became involved in and advocated for The Periscope Project in Wisconsin. I originally started school on a medical track, got my CNA, and switched from nursing to social work. My passion for the medical field led to me learning more about the psychiatry world of perinatal and postnatal services. I learned that it can take months to get in with a psychiatrist due to the lack of specialists around motherhood. Dr. Wichman is one of the smartest people I’ve had the privilege of meeting and started the Periscope Project to help more people. If you want to understand the medical world of the Lindsey Clancy trial and postpartum psychosis, consider watching the education modules available on the Periscope Project’s website.

Lastly, if you are a mother who does struggle with mental health - consider following one of our Tirzah founders/former writers, Chanel Riggle, and her Motherhood Minute. She addresses these issues from a Spiritual and medical aspect.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

-John 10:10

The Spiritual World is Real.

There are real life mental health disorders. A possibility does exist for demonic possession. I’m not saying that is the case with Lindsey Clancy. I’m just saying that we can believe in medical mental health and read the stories in the Bible where people were miraculously cured after demons were cast out. Everything is not a demon - but also the demonic is also real.

In a recent article, I saw that Lindsey said she heard a voice for a number of minutes straight. Some speculations were it was her husband’s. A sign of demonic possession is hearing voices or speaking in different voices even. God does not inspire people to kill their children. Some may throw some random arguments from the Old Testament. However, God’s character is love and wanting grace for us.

The devil wants to destroy anything created in the image of God. He has convinced entire generations that it is okay to destroy babies in the womb. He wants to destroy those alive too. I am NOT in any way saying to assume Lindsey was possessed or saying we shouldn’t explore mental health problems. I’m saying be open to all angles of what could be going on in this story.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

-Ephesians 6:12