Chicago Woman Charged with Murder After Children Found Stabbed in Burning Home
A Chicago woman is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, after a horrific incident in the Logan Square neighborhood on Friday left one child dead and two others critically injured. The incident unfolded after authorities responded to reports of a stabbing and subsequent fire.
Wendy Tolbert, 45, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to police reports. She is also facing six counts of felony aggravated arson and multiple counts of aggravated battery.
Timeline of Events
On Friday morning, at approximately 9:12 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 3600 block of West Palmer Street following reports of a person wielding a knife. Upon arrival, authorities discovered a devastating scene: three children had been stabbed inside the home, and the residence had been intentionally set ablaze.
Jordan Wallace, a 4-year-old boy, sustained a stab wound to the chest and was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead. A 10-year-old boy suffered a stab wound to the right arm and is currently hospitalized in serious condition. A 13-year-old girl was stabbed multiple times in the face, back, and chest and remains in critical condition.
The fire quickly spread, impacting neighboring residences and first responders. A 31-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man residing in an adjacent home were treated for smoke inhalation at Stroger Hospital and are reported to be in fair condition. Additionally, three responding officers were also hospitalized for smoke inhalation.
Expanding Charges and Legal Proceedings
Beyond the initial murder and attempted murder charges, Tolbert faces a significant number of additional felonies related to the arson and aggravated battery. These charges reflect the widespread impact of the incident and the deliberate nature of the alleged crimes.
Tolbert is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing on Sunday, where authorities will present their case for her continued detention. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the full scope of the events and the motive behind the attack.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
