CHICAGO — A horrifying scene unfolded early Friday morning in the Logan Square neighborhood when a mother, believing her children were possessed by the devil, allegedly stabbed them and set their apartment on fire, resulting in the death of her 4-year-old son.
46-year-old Wendy Tolbert now faces a long list of felony charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated arson, and aggravated battery, after Cook County prosecutors detailed a chilling series of events that left one child dead, two others injured, and neighbors traumatized.
‘Pure Violence’: Judge Orders Mother Held Without Bond
During a court hearing Sunday, Judge James Murphy III called the case “pure violence,” noting Tolbert posed a threat not only to her family, but to neighbors and emergency responders. He ordered her held without bail as she awaits trial.
Violent Attack Begins Without Warning
The attack began around 2 a.m. Friday at the family’s apartment on the 3600 block of West Palmer Street. Tolbert’s 10-year-old son was playing video games on the floor as his younger brother, 4-year-old Jordan Walker, slept nearby.
Without warning, Tolbert emerged from the kitchen wielding a knife and metal blade, stabbing the 10-year-old boy in the arm, police say. As he fled in terror, Jordan attempted to follow—but Tolbert reportedly kicked him down the basement stairs and stabbed him 36 times in the face, chest, and back, officials stated.
Children Pleaded for Help
Tolbert’s 13-year-old daughter managed to lock herself in a bedroom and called 911 twice. Her 10-year-old brother locked himself in a separate room. The two children communicated through the wall, trying to devise a way to escape as the fire began to spread.
When officers arrived, Tolbert was allegedly outside the home soaked in blood, holding a knife in one hand and a burning paper towel in the other. Flames and smoke were already engulfing the building.
Rescue, Tragedy, and Collateral Damage
Chicago police broke windows to reach the trapped children. All three were rushed to Stroger Hospital. Jordan Walker was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The 13-year-old girl underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition. The 10-year-old boy has since been released.
The fire, fueled by lighter fluid and rubbing alcohol, also spread to a neighboring residence, displacing multiple people and causing a partial roof collapse. A 31-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man in the adjoining building were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, along with one of the police officers involved in the rescue.
Mental Health and Confession
Tolbert allegedly confessed to police that she believed her children were “possessed by the devil” and needed to die. Her public defender stated that she has a history of mental illness and had recently been diagnosed with cancer.
The court will now weigh mental health factors alongside the violent nature of the crimes. No plea has been entered yet.
Do you think mental health support systems in Chicago are strong enough to prevent family tragedies like this? Share your thoughts in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
