Chicago, Illinois – A Chicago woman, Wendy Tolbert, has been charged with 14 counts, including first-degree murder, after police say she stabbed a child to death and set fire to their home. The tragic events unfolded on Friday morning in the Logan Square neighborhood.
The Crime
At approximately 9:00 a.m. on Friday, police received a 911 call reporting a person armed with a knife at Tolbert’s home. Upon arrival, officers found the residence engulfed in flames and three injured children inside.
One child, identified as 4-year-old Jordan Wallace, had been stabbed in the stomach. He was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital but was sadly pronounced dead.
Two other children, 11-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl, were also severely injured. The 11-year-old boy had been stabbed and is currently receiving treatment for serious injuries.
The 13-year-old girl sustained multiple stab wounds to her face, back, and chest and is in serious condition at Stroger Hospital. Authorities believe the 13-year-old girl was the one who called 911 during the attack.
Details of the Incident
According to authorities, Tolbert, 45, locked the children inside the home, took their cellphones, and stabbed them before setting the house on fire. As the fire spread, the 11-year-old boy was reportedly seen frantically running around the home, searching for a way to escape.
When fire and emergency personnel arrived, they treated two adult neighbors for smoke inhalation, along with three responding officers. The fire also spread to the neighbor’s house, causing their roof to collapse.
Charges and Investigation
Wendy Tolbert has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and six counts of felony aggravated arson. She was initially taken to Community First Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation, but it is unclear whether she remains at the hospital or has been transferred to jail.
At this time, authorities have not disclosed a clear motive for the attack. The Department of Child and Family Services has also stated that there were no prior interactions with the family.
Community Reaction
The crime has sent shockwaves through the community. Grandparents of one of the children told The Chicago Sun-Times that Tolbert is a relative of the children involved in the incident.
The police investigation continues as authorities try to piece together the details of the attack. The community remains in shock over the tragic loss of a young child and the severe injuries to the other children involved.
Ongoing Investigation
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to understand what led to the horrific attack and fire. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and detectives are trying to gather further information to shed light on the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.