Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A mother has pleaded guilty to drowning her autistic four-year-old son after the pressure of looking after him got too much.
36-year-old Patricia Corby admitted drowning her son Daniel in a bathtub at their family home in San Diego, California last March.
She then wrapped Daniel’s body in a blanket, put him on the back seat of her vehicle and drove him to a police station where she told officers what she had done. She was later arrested and charged with murder and assault on a child.
According to prosecutor Walter Escobar, Daniel’s autism was the reason his mother killed him.
Corby, who cared for her son at home, felt she had no time to herself, Escobar said.
'She felt like her whole existence was dedicated to her child,' Escobar argued. 'She felt like she had no life. She wanted Daniel to be normal.'
Corby faces a minimum 15 year prison stretch when she is sentenced on January 28 at San Diego’s County Superior Court.
Daniel’s father, Duane Corby, was in court as his wife sobbed uncontrollably during her guilty plea.
He had testified during the trial that they were $70,000 in debt because of treatment that they got for their son. Both he and Daniel's teacher said that the boy was making progress.
Corby said she tried to drown herself after drowning her son but failed.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments