A Mother’s Alleged Act of Unimaginable Violence Shocks Logan Square Community
In a case described by a judge as “pure violence,” a tragic incident unfolded in a Logan Square apartment where a mother stands accused of stabbing her three children, resulting in the death of her 4-year-old son. Prosecutors revealed that Wendy Tolbert believed her children were possessed by the devil and felt compelled to end their lives.
46-year-old Wendy Tolbert appeared in court on Sunday to face multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated arson, and aggravated battery. The presiding judge, James Murphy III, deemed her a threat not only to her family but also to her neighbors and first responders, ordering her detention pending trial.
The harrowing events transpired in the early hours of Friday morning at the family’s residence on the 3600 block of West Palmer Street. Without warning, Tolbert allegedly launched a brutal assault on her children. Her 10-year-old son was engrossed in video games as his younger brother, 4-year-old Jordan Walker, lay asleep beside him.
Armed with a knife and metal blade, Tolbert reportedly emerged from the kitchen and stabbed the older boy in the arm, prompting him to flee for safety. Jordan attempted to follow his brother but was violently kicked down the basement stairs and subjected to 36 stab wounds on his face, chest, and back.
During the ordeal, Tolbert’s 13-year-old daughter, who had barricaded herself in a bedroom, made two distress calls to 911, alerting authorities that her mother was attacking them. The 13-year-old and her 10-year-old brother, who had sought refuge in an adjacent room, communicated through the wall, devising a plan to escape the dire situation.
Upon police arrival, Tolbert was found outside the apartment, covered in blood, holding a knife in one hand and a burning paper towel in the other, with flames and smoke billowing from the building. Officers swiftly broke windows to rescue the injured children, who were rushed to Stroger Hospital for treatment. Tragically, Jordan succumbed to his injuries, while his sister underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition. The 10-year-old has since been discharged.
The fire, allegedly ignited by Tolbert using lighter fluid and rubbing alcohol, spread to a neighboring residence, displacing occupants and causing structural damage. Two individuals from the adjacent home were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, as was one of the officers involved in the rescue operation.
Tolbert reportedly admitted to the stabbings and arson, citing her belief that her children were possessed. Her legal representative disclosed her history of mental health issues and recent cancer diagnosis, shedding light on the potential factors contributing to this tragic incident.
