Lindsay Clancy told nurse of suicidal thoughts months before killing children

A psychiatric nurse practitioner testified Tuesday that Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts woman accused of killing her three young children, had shared suicidal thoughts and struggled with her medication regimen in the months before the deaths.

Rebecca Jollotta, who works with the South Shore Health Perinatal Behavior Health Program, said she first met Clancy on November 29, 2022. Over the following weeks, the two communicated regularly through a patient portal and met in person and virtually.

According to Jollotta's testimony, Clancy reported symptoms of depression, trouble sleeping, and what she described as "intrusive thoughts I never had before." In one December message, Clancy asked to switch from the antidepressant Remeron, saying she disliked how it made her feel and worried about becoming addicted to medications like Ativan.

Jollotta said she explained that intrusive thoughts were common in patients with postpartum depression and anxiety, and encouraged Clancy to give the medication more time to work. She also provided Clancy with information about 24-hour emergency psychiatric services, including mobile crisis intervention.

During cross-examination, Jollotta confirmed that Clancy had expressed thoughts of wanting to die but had never indicated any thoughts of harming her children. Jollotta said she repeatedly suggested alternative treatments, including behavioral therapy, support groups, and meditation, though it was ultimately up to Clancy to follow through.

Clancy and her husband have since filed lawsuits against several healthcare providers over her care.