DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A mother who was accused of trying to drown her 7-month-old baby in a bathtub has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.
Valissa M. Thornell was arrested when police showed up to her apartment on March 22 after she called in stating she was trying to kill her baby by drowning and then kill herself.
When officers arrived, they said Thornell was outside her apartment with her baby, who was gurgling with water coming out of his mouth.
According to police documents, Thornell admitted to trying to drown her child in a Mirandized interview. She told police that she ran water in the tub, placed the child in the water, and then held him under when he started to float.
When his eyes got large and he started gasping, she said she picked the baby up but then placed him back in the water and walked way for two minutes.
She then told police that he was face down in the water kicking his feet when she returned to the bathroom. At this point, she said she picked him up and saw that he was blue.
During a search of the apartment, officers found around 2 inches of water in the tub and water spots all over the bathroom floor. There were no witnesses to this incident.
Two charges were dismissed and Thornell was found not guilty by reason on the last charge.
The Department of Human Services was ordered to evaluate Thornell
as to whether she is in need of mental health services.
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