Clancy trial turns to psychiatrist's care before children's deaths

The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy shifted focus Monday to the mental health care she received in the months before she killed her three children, with her defense attorney pressing a psychiatrist on the quality and limits of her treatment.

Attorney Kevin Reddington questioned Dr. Jennifer Tufts about her use of 25-minute video appointments, reliance on computerized assessment forms, and the series of medications she prescribed as Clancy reported side effects and persistent symptoms. Reddington suggested the care was indifferent and inadequate, at one point likening the doctor to a box-checking "robot."

Tufts, who treated Clancy from September 2022 until the day before the killings, diagnosed her with generalized anxiety disorder and an adjustment disorder with depressed mood. She testified that Clancy never reported manic episodes, hearing voices, or thoughts of harming her children — though she did describe feeling hopeless and "close" to suicidal at times.

Clancy, 35, has pleaded not guilty to murder in the deaths of her children, ages 8 months to 5 years. Prosecutors say she intentionally strangled them with exercise bands after sending her husband on errands. Her defense argues she was suffering from bipolar disorder and postpartum psychosis and should not be held criminally responsible.

Tufts, who completed her psychiatric residency in July 2022 and joined a private practice the month before first seeing Clancy, acknowledged under questioning that she had limited experience with postpartum conditions. She denied being negligent, noting she told Clancy there was hope and that other treatment options existed.

Clancy has also filed a civil lawsuit against Tufts and other practitioners. If convicted of murder, she faces life in prison without parole; a finding of not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility would result in commitment to a state mental health facility.