My biggest question in this whole mess is why was she left alone with these children. She had a history of severe post partum depression with the 4th child and from what I read, the Dr. advised her not to have anymore children.
Did her husband care so little about her state of mind that he had to have another child? Did he care so little about her state of mind that he had to have his children homeschooled by her while she was caring for a baby, a toddler and dealing with post partum? I understand that she committed this crime before her mother-in-law could get there that day, but still. I have a huge problem with the whole thing. She had problems and she needed help, not the burdens that seem to have been imposed on her because of their church's teachings.
Yes, I believe she was wrong. But I also believe that the hell in her mind is 10 times worse now. And it all could have been prevented by a family that appears to have offered her no support system whatsoever. She needed help then and she needs even more now. And even after she gets some help, she still has to live with the guilt of what she did to her own children for the rest of her life.
Post partum depression (or any form of depression for that matter) is hard enough to deal with, but when you are left alone to deal with those feelings and take care of a home and raise and school your children, it has got to be even more overwhelming.
Michelle
