Mom suffering from ‘postpartum psychosis’ charged with killing baby son
A Colorado mother allegedly killed her 2-month-old son while in the throes of postpartum psychosis just days after seeking help for her condition — with the baby’s father claiming that the woman had threatened to harm herself and their infant in the past.
Anna Englund, 29, from Boulder, was arrested Sunday morning on charges of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death in the killing of her son, Miles Basellio.
The baby’s heartbroken father, who asked not to be identified, told the news channel 9News that Englund has been grappling with psychosis after giving birth to their baby.
“I can’t comprehend her internal thought process,” the man said. “It’s weird that you can form a life with somebody and this happens and it’s like, what? You wouldn’t think that was that person.”
Postpartum psychosis is defined as a mental health emergency that “affects a person’s sense of reality, causing hallucinations, delusions, paranoia or other behavior changes,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In severe cases, people suffering from this treatable condition “may attempt to harm themselves or their newborn.”
Baby Miles’ grieving dad said that Englund had sought help for her postpartum struggles at Boulder Community Hospital twice in the past two weeks.
On Saturday, Englund’s close friend and godmother to her son called the police, asking them to perform a welfare check on her out of concern that the new mom might be having a mental health crisis.
The woman told CBS Colorado that Englund was struggling with what she called postpartum depression and was suffering from insomnia.
But contrary to what Miles’ dad had said, the friend claimed that Englund never talked about hurting her son.
“She was working with a therapist on it and seemed to be getting better,” she said. “We thought she was better and then all of a sudden she just took off.”
The friend said that on Saturday, Englund’s boyfriend — Miles’ dad — showed up at her home crying and saying that the new mom had taken off with their son while he was using the bathroom.
“She randomly left with the baby, no shoes that we know of, grabbed her bag, left her phone, and we weren’t able to find her at any of the places she likes to go to,” the friend said.
The Boulder Police Department said in a statement that around 4:30 p.m. that day, officers responded to Englund’s home to perform the welfare check.
The law enforcement agency issued an “attempt to locate” bulletin and alerted other jurisdictions to be on the lookout for Englund and her infant.
Around 10:20 p.m., Englund’s car was spotted driving to Boulder Community Hospital.
Cops made contact with the mom and then rushed her baby to the emergency department, where he was pronounced dead before 11 p.m.
“Our hearts are with the child’s family during this terrible and difficult time,” said Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold. “This is a tragic situation, and we are thinking about the child’s loved ones as they grieve all that has happened.”
Police have not revealed how the baby died, saying that the coroner’s office will determine the cause of death. They arrested the mom citing unspecified “information and evidence.”
Englund’s friend said she will stand by the mom.
“I know at some point when she does come to her senses, she’s going to hate herself and feel guilty,” the woman said.
Englund is being held in the Boulder County Jail without bond.
