A Florida woman accused of drowning her 15-month-old daughter in a bathtub during an at-home religious ritual has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury accepted arguments that she was suffering from severe delusions at the time of the incident. The 43-year-old Precious Bland said she drowned her baby in a bathtub due to a "psychotic episode" caused by COVID-19, according to local media reports.
The ruling means she will not serve a traditional prison sentence and is instead expected to receive psychiatric treatment under court supervision. The case's ruling has sparked intense debate over mental illness, faith-based delusions, and criminal responsibility.
