Psychiatrist Testifies No Signs Of Postpartum Psychosis During Lindsay Clancy’s Hospital Stay

On the ninth day of trial, a psychiatrist who evaluated Lindsay Clancy during a five-day voluntary admission to McLean Hospital in January 2023 explained why she did not diagnose Clancy with postpartum psychosis.

Court Testimony

Dr. Alia Goodheart testified that Clancy was admitted by ambulance on Jan. 1, 2023, and remained at the inpatient psychiatric unit through Jan. 5, 2023. During that period, Goodheart said Clancy appeared to be a "low-risk" patient who reported insomnia, numbness and fleeting suicidal thoughts but had no plan to act on them. Goodheart also said she had "no reason to believe she was not a reliable reporter."

Medical Findings

Goodheart’s working diagnosis on admission was "major depressive disorder, severe without psychotic features." According to her testimony, Clancy slept better and appeared to improve during the five days. The treatment plan included a gradual taper of medications, and Clancy was cleared for discharge on Jan. 5, 2023, provided she attend a psychiatric follow-up the next day. Goodheart told jurors she observed no signs of psychosis and that Clancy had no prior diagnosis of psychosis.

"Psychiatry is not based on blood tests, it's based on the patient who is sitting in front of you," Goodheart testified, noting that an initial toxicology screen did not identify all medications in Clancy's system and that outside records had not been released to the hospital team.

Legal Context

Prosecutors have charged Clancy, a former labor-and-delivery nurse, with three counts of murder in the strangulation deaths of her children — daughter Cora, 5; son Dawson, 3; and son Callan, 8 months — on Jan. 24, 2023. Authorities say Clancy also cut her wrists and jumped from a second-story window in an apparent suicide attempt that left her paralyzed. Clancy has admitted to the killings; her defense argues she was overmedicated and was suffering from postpartum psychosis and therefore should not be held criminally responsible.

Lindsay Marie Clancy and her kids; Lindsay Clancy during her murder trial on July 20, 2026 in Plymouth, Mass.Credit: Facebook; Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool

Civil Claims and Medication Questions

Civil litigation naming some medical providers — including Goodheart in reports — alleges clinicians failed to diagnose, treat and monitor Clancy properly. The civil complaints say Clancy reported hearing voices commanding her to harm herself and her children. In a related civil filing, Clancy’s ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, alleges she was prescribed multiple medications in the months before the deaths, including eight prescriptions during a three-week span from Nov. 16 to Dec. 5, 2022.

Cross-Examination Points

On cross-examination, defense counsel questioned Goodheart about the absence of signed releases for outside medical records and limitations of the hospital’s initial toxicology testing. Goodheart acknowledged those gaps but emphasized that clinical evaluation remained the basis for her diagnosis and disposition decision.

What Comes Next

The criminal trial continued with disputed medical records, testimony about prescriptions and differing expert views on Clancy’s mental state in the weeks leading up to the deaths. The legal proceedings include both the criminal trial and related civil suits.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 support.