ILLINOIS MOM ACCUSED OF KILLING HER 2-YEAR-OLD SON HIRES CASEY ANTHONY’S FORMER LAWYER AFTER FOLLOWING LINDSAY CLANCY TRIAL

An Illinois mother accused of killing her 2-year-old son has hired Andrea Lyon, a defense attorney who previously represented Casey Anthony, after investigators learned the woman had been closely following the high-profile Lindsay Clancy trial.

Corie Walsh, 40, faces three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the death of her son, Barrett “Bear” Walsh, at the family’s home in Frankfort, Illinois, on September 1, according to court documents cited by PEOPLE and local news outlets.

Authorities were called to the home after a neighbor discovered Barrett in the basement and attempted to provide emergency assistance. Prosecutors allege Walsh later made statements to police about the circumstances surrounding her son’s death.

Walsh’s three other children were unharmed. Her two school-aged children returned home around the time authorities were responding, while an infant was also inside the residence, according to court documents. Walsh’s husband was out of town when the incident occurred and returned later that day.

INVESTIGATORS SAY WALSH HAD BEEN FOLLOWING THE LINDSAY CLANCY CASE

The case gained additional attention after prosecutors said witnesses told investigators that Walsh had recently become “very invested” in the Lindsay Clancy trial.

According to court documents, Walsh had been discussing the Massachusetts case with friends through a group text message just hours before Barrett was found.

At the time, jurors in Clancy’s trial were still deliberating over whether Clancy was criminally responsible for the deaths of her three children.

Clancy’s trial ultimately ended in a mistrial on September 4 after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Her defense has argued that severe postpartum mental illness left her unable to understand the criminal nature of her actions, while prosecutors disputed that position.

Walsh’s attorneys have rejected speculation that her case was a “copycat” of the Clancy case.

Andrea Lyon described such speculation as “baseless and cruel,” while saying the two cases were not connected.

A DEFENSE ATTORNEY WITH A HIGH-PROFILE HISTORY

Lyon previously served on Casey Anthony’s defense team when Anthony was charged in connection with the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee.

Anthony was ultimately acquitted of murder, manslaughter and aggravated child abuse in 2011. Lyon had left the defense team before the case reached its conclusion, with attorney Jose Baez serving as Anthony’s lead attorney at trial.

Lyon is now representing Walsh alongside attorney Robert Kerr.

Walsh’s defense has indicated that mental illness will be an important part of the case. Her attorneys have said she was experiencing a psychotic episode around the time of Barrett’s death.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, are seeking to keep Walsh in custody while the case proceeds.

A Will County judge has ordered Walsh held pending trial. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 24, according to PEOPLE’s latest report.

THE CASE REMAINS UNDER COURT REVIEW

Walsh has not been convicted, and the allegations against her remain subject to the court process.

The circumstances surrounding Barrett’s death, Walsh’s mental state and the evidence prosecutors say supports the murder charges will ultimately be addressed through the legal proceedings.

For the Walsh family, the case has left behind the death of a young child and a legal battle that is now drawing national attention because of its unexpected connection to another closely watched mother-and-child case.

As Walsh prepares to face the charges in court, the questions surrounding what happened inside the Frankfort home — and what role, if any, her mental state played — remain at the center of the case.