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COVID-linked psychosis frees mother accused of killing infant
16 Jul
Summary
- Precious Bland was found not guilty by reason of insanity for her infant daughter's death.
- Three experts linked the psychotic episode to a rare COVID-19 occurrence.
- Bland will return home under a court-ordered mental health treatment plan.
A Miami-Dade mother, Precious Bland, who admitted to killing her infant daughter in August 2021, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. The ruling came after three mental health experts testified that a psychotic episode, potentially linked to COVID-19, was a rare, isolated event.
Instead of institutionalization, Judge Friday ordered Bland to return home under a strict court-mandated treatment plan. This plan includes living with her sister, continuing individual psychotherapy and psychiatric follow-up, adhering to prescribed medications, and abstaining from alcohol and illicit substances. The Veterans Affairs mental health system will oversee her treatment.
Evan Bland, the defendant's husband, and their injured daughter, Ahlona Willis, expressed support for the ruling, stating they had no concerns about her release. Bland's attorney, Larry Handfield, conveyed confidence that this would be an isolated incident, emphasizing that Bland must now cope with the tragic events beyond her control.
