The story of Andrea Yates stunned the nation. The enormity of a mother drowning her five children — one after the other — in the bathtub of their home is difficult to get your mind around.

Frankly, I didn’t want to.

On an average day in suburban Houston, Yates filled her tub. She then held Noah, Luke, Paul, John and Mary under the water until they were dead.

Horrifying. Heartbreaking. Could it have been prevented?

When I hear of a case like this, the first question I ask is, “How old was the baby?” There is so very often a baby.

Mary Yates was six months old. [Read more...]