Andrea Yates: Christian Baby Killer

The Yates family rejected the norm. Unlike most couples who settle down after having kids, they did something else.They moved from a suburban house to a converted bus with all five children. Rusty left the bus house daily for work; Andrea stayed in the small space to home-school the kids.Andrea home-schooled all five children in a converted bus while Rusty worked, leaving Andrea alone in the small space.

Russell Yates met Michael Woroniecki, a traveling preacher who became his family's religious idol while in college. The couple tried to copy Woroniecki's lifestyle and followed all his orders.

Russell Yates met Michael Woroniecki, a traveling preacher, while in college. Woroniecki became the family's religious idol.Andrea's first mental breakdown happened in 1999 after the fourth child, Luke, was born. In June that year, she purposely overdosed on depression medicine and ended up in a Methodist hospital's psychiatric unit. The following month, she tried to kill herself again and went to Memorial Spring Shadows Glen Hospital. They put haldol, an antipsychotic drug, on her. This seemed to work because she went two years without trying to kill herself or her children.The Yates family listened to Woroniecki's commands. The man preached everyone was destined for hell; the couple followed this belief.

Andrea's poor mental state made her vulnerable. She accepted Woroniecki's words completely. Killing her children, she thought she saved them from hell.

Andrea's first mental breakdown happened in 1999, after the fourth child, Luke, was born. In June that year, she...Dr. Mohammed Saeed, Andrea's psychiatrist then, warned Russell never to leave his wife alone with the children because she might do something terrible. Ignoring Dr. Saeed, Russell left Andrea alone for hours repeatedly. He claimed he did not want Andrea to depend only on him; he wanted her to become more independent.Andrea took depression medication and ended up in a Methodist hospital's psychiatric unit. The next month, she tried suicide again and went to Memorial Spring Shadows Glen Hospital. She was...put onhaldol, an antipsychotic drug. This drug seemed to work because she went two years without trying to kill herself or her children.

However, a few months after the fifth child, Mary, was born in 2001, Andrea's mental state got worse again. She was...admitted toDevereux Texas Treatment Network twice in early 2001 and again started an antipsychotic regimen.

Her father died in 2001, and this may have worsened her condition.

The couple received warnings about having more children. Andrea had to stop her medication, and pregnancy side effects caused her depression again. Despite doctors' warnings, Andrea stopped taking her medication and became pregnant with a fifth child.

For a time, Russell allegedly denied Andrea's mental illness. Instead, he...believedthat "demons" caused all her problems. Perhaps he thought another child would scare the demons away?

Dr. Mohammed Saeed, Andrea's psychiatrist then, warned Russell not to leave his wife alone with the children because she might do something terrible. Ignoring Dr. Saeed, Russell left Andrea alone for hours repeatedly.claimed thathe did not want Andrea to depend only on him; he wanted her to become more independent.

Andrea started seeing psychiatrist Mohammed Saeed during her time at the Devereux-Texas Treatment Network. The doctor first...prescribed herhaldol and other antipsychotics. Even though she had delusions, Saeed stopped the drug 16 days before she committed the murders.beforeshe committed the ghastly murders.

Russell's testimony stated his wife's mental health declined. Saeed still refused to give her haldol or admit her to inpatient psychiatric care.

Andrea's mother, Karin Kennedy, criticized Russell during the trial. She claimed the engineer husband never helped at home, making childcare and cleaning solely Andrea's job.She claims:

"When they came to my house, that was the first time I told Rusty, 'Luke needs changing.' He said, 'Well, that'd be a first. I have never changed a diaper before.' And that was the fourth child. I was horrified."

Kennedywent on todiscuss Andrea's mental health. Russell's lack of understanding made things harder.

Andrea's lawyersbased theircase on her failing mental health. They claimed their client could not be held responsible for her actions. Dr. Park Dietz examined her and testified for the prosecution. He insisted Andrea knew right from wrong when she snapped, so she was not insane.

Dietz contradicted himself. He also stated Andrea seemed unsure and confused about the events.

Despite all the evidence, the jurorswanted Andreapunished her, and they found her guilty. In March 2002, the court sentenced her to life in prison.

Medical professionals whispered about postpartum depression and psychosis for years. The Yates case changed all of that.Heavy national media coverage changed all of that.The court approved Andrea's retrial request in 2006. This decision showed these mental illnesses exist.

The court approved Andrea's retrial request in 2006. The decision showed these mental illnesses exist.

Russell Yates filed for divorce from his wife in 2004. The divorce finished in 2005, one year before he remarried. His second wife, Laura, said Rusty's care for Andrea drew her to him.She said:

"That's one of the things I really admired about him, that he is supporting her. My heart breaks for her and what happened and, you know, what she lives with every day."

The two have since had a child together.

In 2005, Andrea Yates got good news. Based on false testimony from Dr. Park Dietz, who the prosecution enlisted, her first conviction was reversed.. Andrea again pleaded "not guilty on the grounds of insanity," and this time, it worked. Her new sentence required her to spend an unspecified time in a mental institution.. Andrea again pleaded "not guilty on the grounds of insanity," and this time, it succeeded. Her new sentence required her to spend an unknown time in a mental institution.

Kerrville State Hospital is a mental health facility run by the state of Texas. All patients who get treatment there weresent bythe Texas court system so no one can leave voluntarily. Despite these rules and the lines stopping patient movement, the hospital supposedly has a relaxed, community feel.

Andrea Yates has been a patient at Kerrville State Hospital since 2007. Her doctor says her mental health has stabilized, but Yates skips her review hearing every year. This hearing leads to release, but Yates may not be ready for her old life.

In a 2008 interview, Russell Yates...Russell spoke about keeping in touch with his ex-wife.The two send emails and sometimes talk on the phone. He shares pictures of his new family, including images of his young son, Mark. The former couple also discusses the past.According to Russell...They knew their children better than anyone. They often reminisce.