The Clancy Case: Postpartum Depression and its Clinical Implications

On January 24, 2023, Lindsey Clancy killed her three children. Since then, the case has moved through the courts and recently resulted in a hung jury. This outcome arrives at a pivotal moment for women’s rights and public discourse surrounding psychological diagnosis, maternal mental health, and child welfare. The intensity of public attention has also elevated the voices of mothers currently navigating postpartum depression (PPD). In fact, shortly after the Clancy verdict, an Illinois mother was arrested for killing her young child—further amplifying national concern.

It is important to note that this will not be a blog declaring the innocence or guilt of Lindsey Clancy or any other mother who has committed acts of violence and murder against their children or families. Instead, this post seeks to foster informed dialogue about postpartum depression in women and the often-overlooked reality of paternal postpartum depression.

Postpartum Facts  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression (CDC, 2023). Rates vary significantly by state and are influenced by cultural background, socioeconomic status, and the presence or absence of familial and community support systems.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM‑5‑TR) does not classify postpartum depression as a standalone diagnosis. Instead, it includes a peripartum onset specifier, applied when a major depressive episode begins during pregnancy or within four weeks postpartum (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). This specifier may accompany diagnoses such as Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar I/II Disorder.

A persistent misconception is that postpartum depression has a narrow time window. Research contradicts this. Robbins et al. (2023) found that 57% of women with depressive symptoms at 9–10 months postpartum had no symptoms earlier, demonstrating that onset can be delayed. Mughal et al. (2023) further note that maternal depressive symptoms may persist for years and follow multiple long‑term trajectories.

Taken together, these findings underscore that the peripartum and postpartum periods are clinically complex and cannot be neatly defined by rigid timelines or simplistic screening practices.

Clinical implications

Given what we know about postpartum depression, it is imperative that clinicians understand how to assess for these signs and do not relegate the peripartum or postpartum experience based on societal myths and untruths. Currently, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is utilized to assess PPD and is the only screening instrument designed to do so. As a result, clinicians working with families, couples, or individuals who are experiencing depression during the pregnancy period need to be aware of the tool, how to administer it, and what the scoring means.

These tools assist in identifying cases as early as possible and providing the additional support needed to assist mothers who may be dealing with PPD. In addition, ensuring that mothers who are dealing with PPD have supports available to assist them in managing these emotions is essential. Per court documents, the supports given to Lindsey were plentiful and often resulted in her not following through on therapeutic interventions that would have assisted in reducing the presence of PPD. Evidence of these supports per court documents includes the following:

-              A nanny

-              Supportive husband, as evidenced by him taking paternal leave to assist around the home.

-              Supportive family members, her parents and the parents of the husband.

-              Attendance at a postpartum women’s group.

-              Access to psychotherapy, as evidenced by her seeing several therapists throughout this period.

-              Access to psychotropic medications.

In most circumstances, these supports will assist in reducing the presence of PPD in women.

This clinical testimony from clinicians in the case presents interesting implications for clinicians working with this population. As clinicians, it may be beneficial to be more resistant to developing interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teams in these cases to ensure we understand the treatment history and have access to the most recent records for the clients we see. Not doing so can cause us to miss vital information when formulating diagnoses and developing appropriate treatment plans for our clients. In addition, it can be life-altering if we forsake the diligent practice of inter- and multidisciplinary teams. The Clancey case is one of many that have similar results due to missed diagnoses or lack of information sharing amongst mental and physical health professionals.

A Call to Action

Given the specifics of this and other cases, clinicians and practitioners must commit to higher clinical standards. These include:

  Consistently obtaining Release of Information (ROI) forms to ensure communication across providers.

  Engaging in ongoing clinical study and training to strengthen diagnostic accuracy.

  Participating in regular clinical supervision to maintain ethical and effective practice.

It is my hope that we continue to make advancements in the way of clinical application to ensure that women and men alike get the treatment needed, thus saving the lives of innocent children the world over.

Thanks for reading.

Dr. Wyatt

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Depression among women. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/depression/index.htm

Mughal, M. K., Giallo, R., Arshad, M., Arnold, P. D., Bright, K., Charrois, E. M., ... & Kingston, D. (2023). Trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms from pregnancy to 11 years postpartum: Findings from Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort. Journal of Affective Disorders, 328, 191-199.

Robbins, C. L., Ko, J. Y., D'Angelo, D. V., Salvesen von Essen, B., Bish, C. L., Kroelinger, C. D., Tevendale, H. D., Warner, L., & Barfield, W. (2023). Timing of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms. Preventing chronic disease, 20, E103. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd20.230107