Lindsay Clancy psychiatrist ‘surprised’ by suicide hotline calls, court hears

Lindsay Clancy’s psychiatrist testified in court Monday as her defense lawyer questioned whether warning signs were missed during the Massachusetts mother’s deteriorating mental health in the months before the deaths of her three young children.

Lindsay Clancy’s psychiatrist testified in court Monday as her defense lawyer questioned whether warning signs were missed during the Massachusetts mother’s deteriorating mental health in the months before the deaths of her three young children.

Dr. Jennifer Tufts, who began treating Clancy in September 2022, faced detailed questioning from defense attorney Kevin Reddington about her approach to treatment, medication decisions and the use of relatively brief video appointments.

According to the Associated Press, Reddington argued that Clancy’s mental healthcare may have been inadequate at a time when she was experiencing serious emotional and psychological difficulties. He focused on 25-minute telehealth appointments, computerized clinical forms and the numerous medications prescribed as Clancy reported different symptoms and side effects.

During questioning, Reddington challenged Tufts over whether Clancy should have received more intensive or in-person care.

When asked why she did not recommend that Clancy meet her face-to-face instead of continuing with video appointments, Tufts said she did not believe there was a problem with providing treatment through telehealth.

The psychiatrist also told jurors she was “surprised” to learn that Clancy had contacted a suicide hotline twice while receiving treatment.

Tufts said Clancy had denied experiencing suicidal thoughts during their treatment, although she acknowledged that she had been “close to feeling suicidal.”

Reddington highlighted an appointment roughly two months before Clancy strangled her children, asking the psychiatrist what she had done after Clancy described feeling hopeless.

Tufts responded that she had reassured Clancy that there was hope and that treatment options and different programs were available. She said her goal was to make Clancy understand that she still had options and reasons to hope.

Reddington highlighted an appointment roughly two months before Clancy strangled her children, asking the psychiatrist what she had done after Clancy described feeling hopeless.

Tufts had previously testified for prosecutors that Clancy initially sought treatment because of anxiety and had raised concerns about medication side effects.

Court records indicate that Clancy was prescribed more than a dozen psychiatric medications through multiple healthcare providers before the killings.

The testimony is part of the ongoing trial involving Clancy, whose case has drawn significant attention because of the deaths of her three children. The defense continues to examine the care she received and whether her mental health deterioration was properly recognized and addressed before the tragedy.

As the trial continues, jurors are expected to hear further testimony about Clancy’s mental state, treatment history and the circumstances surrounding the deaths of her children.