MA v Lindsay Clancy - Susan Clancy - Patrick Clancy's Mother

Testimony of Susan Clancy in the Lindsay Clancy trial regarding her former daughter-in-law's mental health in late 2022 and the family's efforts to get help: Witness Background • Family: Lives in Scituate, Massachusetts. Mother of Patrick Clancy. Grandmother of Cora, Dawson, and Callan. Very good relationship with Lindsay. "Beautiful" relationship with the grandchildren. • Work: RN, 38 years in labor and delivery at South Shore Hospital. • Postpartum knowledge: Kept up with postpartum depression and psychosis, but her work was inside the delivery room. Knew Dr. Meg Spinelli and once arranged a hospital lecture. She did not consult Spinelli about Lindsay. Lindsay as a Mother and Early Changes • Mother: "Very nurturing, very loving," a "wonderful mother." Never saw her treat Dawson poorly. • Change: Several months after Callan was born, around October or November 2022. • November: Lindsay said she felt unwell. Insomnia, loss of appetite, sadness, extreme anxiety. She asked Susan for support. Getting Help • Referral: Susan called a midwife colleague (Nanette), who recommended Julie Paul at a postpartum clinic. Susan reached Julie with Lindsay's permission, then stepped back. • "Begging for help": Highly motivated to see doctors and get better. • Contact: Frequent phone and text in November and December. Holiday texts were admitted from Lindsay's phone. November 16, 2022 ER • Visit: Lindsay texted from the South Shore ER. She had driven herself. Susan was working days, met her after about an hour and a half, sat with her, returned before discharge. • Symptoms: Sleep issues and heart palpitations. She did not mention a weed gummy. ER prescribed Trazodone. Lindsay drove herself home. Texts on Medications • November 29: Lindsay felt "benzo-dependence" after about two weeks and felt doctors were throwing meds at her. Susan had a vague recollection. • November 30: Lindsay was "terrified" of taking the medication. Susan asked what she feared and mentioned Ambien. Lindsay was on Ativan and Remeron and believed meds brought on severe depression. Holidays and Childcare • Thanksgiving: At Susan's daughter's house Lindsay tried to focus on the children but sat apart. She was "trying hard to get better." Still no appetite, weight loss, poor sleep. • Aruba: Susan and her husband, 5 to 6 days. • Christmas: Breakfast together. "Great." Church, which Lindsay was glad to attend. Then relatives in Connecticut. • Overnights: Grandchildren never stayed overnight at Susan's. Susan never stayed overnight at Lindsay and Patrick's. Joint decision to keep the kids in their own beds, with Lindsay's parents helping. • Day trips: Cora to lunch. Dawson less often. Never Callan without Lindsay. She was unaware of therapist notes that Lindsay was not close to in-laws. She said she did watch the kids. January 2023 and Women and Infants • McLean: January 1 to 5, 2023. Susan stayed at the house to help Patrick. She did not attend Cora's January 7 birthday. Did not recall day trips January 7–24. Knew of Cape Codder, Museum of Science, and Cora skiing. Did not attend therapy appointments. • Rhode Island: Told by Lindsay and Patrick that Women and Infants "turned her away" as "over-medicated" and gave suicide hotline numbers, which she called twice. • Recross: Prosecution said records showed discharge with options (inpatient med management, PHP, or outpatient), not a turn-away. Susan had not read the records. Unaware if the program tried to coordinate with Jollotta. 00:00:00 - MA v Lindsay Clancy - Susan Clancy - Patrcks Mother 00:00:51 - Relationship with Lindsay and Grandchildren 00:01:27 - Career as a Labor and Delivery Nurse 00:03:12 - First Signs of Personality Changes and Sleep Struggles 00:04:52 - Reaching Out for Help: Clinic and Midwife Referrals 00:06:09 - Deteriorating Mental State and Text Message Evidence 00:08:15 - Cross-Examination: Professional Connections and Limits 00:09:10 - The November 16 Emergency Room Visit 00:11:54 - Childcare Logistics and Schedule Constraints 00:14:50 - In-Law Dynamics and Caretaking Roles 00:15:41 - Text Evidence: Medication Anxiety and Benzo Fears 00:20:03 - Thanksgiving 2022 and Aruba Vacation 00:21:48 - Christmas Day and January McLean Hospitalization 00:22:22 - Are You Aware Murder is a Mortal Sin? 00:23:40 - Post-Discharge Family Trips and Activities 00:25:08 - Redirect: Women and Infants Program and Suicide Hotlines 00:25:51 - Recross: Program Discharge Records 00:27:12 - Outpatient Coordination and Final Questions Lindsay Clancy Trial Playlist:    • MA v Lindsay Clancy - Jury Selection Day 1