Prosecutors are seeking to keep Corie Walsh detained as investigators examine the death of her 2-year-old son in Frankfort.
FRANKFORT, Ill. — An Illinois mother has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder after her 2-year-old son died following an emergency response at the family’s suburban Chicago home, according to police and court records.
Corie A. Walsh is accused in the death of her son, Barrett Walsh, who was found unresponsive Tuesday at a home in the 22700 block of Brook Stone Court. Prosecutors have filed a petition asking a judge to deny Walsh pretrial release. The three murder counts reflect different legal theories under which prosecutors allege she intentionally caused the child’s death, knew her actions would cause his death or knew they created a strong probability of death.
Frankfort police were called to the home at about 4:04 p.m. Tuesday for a report of an injured child. According to prosecutors’ account of the investigation, a neighbor had found Barrett in the basement and began CPR while calling 911. Emergency efforts continued, and the boy was taken for medical care, but he was pronounced dead that day.
A preliminary autopsy found that Barrett died from asphyxia caused by compression of his neck, according to court documents. Police have said the final cause and manner of death were still pending as the investigation continued. Authorities have described the case as a domestic-related homicide.
Investigators also found Walsh injured inside the home, according to police and prosecutors. Authorities said she had been attempting to harm herself and was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. She later remained in custody while receiving medical treatment.
Prosecutors allege Walsh made statements to officers about killing her son and later described what happened while she was hospitalized. Authorities said those statements were consistent with evidence recovered during the investigation. Court records also say she made statements about her son that prosecutors have included as part of their account of the case. Those allegations have not been tested at trial.
Three other children connected to the household were physically unharmed, according to the court filing. Prosecutors said an infant was at the residence during the incident and two school-aged children returned home around the time Barrett was discovered. Walsh’s husband was outside Illinois when the incident occurred, prosecutors said.
The Frankfort Police Department and Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force investigated the case before the murder charges were filed. Authorities also recovered evidence from the home and continued examining material collected during the investigation.
Walsh’s defense attorney said in a statement that Walsh was experiencing a psychotic episode when the child died and described the death as a tragedy for the family. The statement represents the defense’s account and has not been established as a finding by a court. Walsh is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Police Chief Leanne Chelepis called the death a heartbreaking tragedy and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy. Investigators said the case remained active as prosecutors pursued Walsh’s detention and the criminal charges moved into court.
Walsh is expected to be transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility after she is medically cleared, where she will await further court proceedings on the murder charges and the state’s request to keep her detained before trial.
Author note: Last updated September 5, 2026.