Over $1 million has been raised in donations for a Massachusetts father whose three children were allegedly killed by their mother.
Patrick Clancy's world was turned upside down on January 24 when he left his family home to pick up some food and medicine and returned to find his three children dead in the basement.
According to reports, five-year-old Cora, Dawson, three, and their seven-month-old brother Callan had been strangled with exercise bands, with their mother Lindsay Clancy accused of their murder.
Lindsay had also been found in the backyard of the home after reportedly attempting to take her own life by jumping out of a second-story window, according to NBC News.
The mother had reportedly been "happy" and "smiling" throughout the day, according to Patrick, even building a snowman with the children and sending photos to their grandmother, before sending her husband to the shops on an errand.
Patrick called 911 after returning to the home and all three children were rushed to the hospital, with Cora and Dawson being pronounced dead later that evening, while baby Callan tragically succumbed to his injuries days later.
Lindsay survived her fall from the window but is still paralyzed from the waist down according to reports from People, but has pleaded not guilty after being charged with two counts of murder, three counts of strangulation, and three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
After news of the tragedy broke, a GoFundMe account was set up to help Patrick pay for funeral bills for his beloved children as well as medical bills and legal fees.
Since it was created on January 26, over $1 million has been raised by donations from 15,700 people who were moved by the story.
Patrick shared an update on the page thanking those who have donated and supported him in the wake of the unimaginable tragedy.
He said that the "shock and pain is excruciating and relentless" and that he is struggling to sleep, adding that his children "were the essence of my life and I’m completely lost without them".
Patrick described his family as "the best thing that ever happened to [him]", and said he took "so much pride" in being Cora, Dawson, and Callan's father as well as Lindsay's husband, adding: "They gave me purpose and I never took it for granted. There is now a massive void where that purpose once was."
He also shared his thoughts about his wife, describing their marriage as "wonderful" and that it "diametrically grew stronger as her condition rapidly worsened."
"She loved being a nurse, but nothing matched her intense love for our kids and dedication to being a mother. It was all she ever wanted. Her passion taught me how to be a better father," he added.
Despite his intense grief, Patrick urged the public to find forgiveness for Lindsay, explaining: "I want to ask all of you that you find it deep within yourselves to forgive Lindsay, as I have.
"The real Lindsay was generously loving and caring towards everyone - me, our kids, family, friends, and her patients. The very fibers of her soul are loving. All I wish for her now is that she can somehow find peace."
It comes after Lindsay's defense attorney Kevin Reddington told the court on Tuesday that the mom's mental well-being had deteriorated prior to the tragedy.
He claimed that the former nurse had "been unable to express any happiness, or sadness, or cry" in the weeks leading up to the children's deaths and had been prescribed "a number of medications" by doctors for postpartum depression, and suspected that Lindsay may have been suffering from "possible postpartum psychosis".
Due to Lindsey's medical condition, a judge has not set a monetary bail amount but has ordered that she remains in hospital until medically cleared.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help and contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741, or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources..jpg_Ix5mUV?tr=h-184)
