A tragic incident unfolded in Logan Square as a mother, Wendy Tolbert, faced multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder and arson, following a horrifying domestic attack that resulted in the death of her 4-year-old son, serious injuries to two of her other children, and the destruction of their family home by fire.
The Chicago Police Department formally charged Tolbert with one count of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, six counts of aggravated arson, four counts of aggravated battery, and one count of aggravated battery to a child under 13 causing great bodily harm. The arrest took place on July 4 at the scene of the fire in the 3600 block of West Palmer Street, where Tolbert allegedly stabbed her children and set the house ablaze with them trapped inside.
Responding officers arrived at the scene following a report of a person with a knife and found one of the children screaming from the basement. Reports indicated that Tolbert was still inside the residence armed with a knife. The situation quickly escalated as the fire spread to a neighboring building, causing injuries to a 31-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man who were treated for smoke inhalation at Stroger Hospital and listed in fair condition.
Upon entering Tolbert’s home, emergency responders discovered her three children with stab wounds. Tragically, her 4-year-old son, Jordan Wallace, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital. His 10-year-old brother sustained injuries to his arm and remained hospitalized in serious condition, while their 13-year-old sister suffered multiple stab wounds to the face, chest, and back and was listed in critical condition.
In a display of heroism, three Chicago police officers entered the burning home to rescue the children and were later treated for smoke inhalation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives also responded to the scene as part of the investigative efforts. Tolbert is set to appear for a detention hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, with authorities yet to disclose a possible motive for the tragic attack.
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