Dena Schlosser: Difference between revisions

(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{Villain_Infobox

|Image = ~~Dena_Schlosser~~.jpg

|Image = Dena Schlosser.jpg

|fullname = Dena Schlosser

|alias = Dena Leitner (maiden name)<br>The Plano Baby Chopper

Line 18:

The day after Margaret was born, Schlosser attempted suicide. Five days after her suicide attempts, she burst out of the apartment and took off running while one of her other daughters was watching ''The Little Mermaid'' on TV; she believed that the characters on the TV were talking & laughing at her. After these incidents, she was hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features. She had been investigated earlier that year by the Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) after she was hospitalized for a psychotic episode. CPS ordered that she could not be alone with her children. Her sister-in-law came to live with them until CPS lifted the order.

Schlosser came to believe that Margaret was destined to marry Doyle Davidson, a veterinarian who had become their pastor. The day before she attacked Margaret, Schlosser told her husband that she wanted to give her to Davidson. Later that day, according to a confidential CPS report, he spanked her with a wooden spoon in front of their children. She fatally injured Margaret, while her other two daughters were not harmed.

Schlosser came to believe that Margaret was destined to marry Doyle Davidson, a veterinarian who had become their pastor. The day before she attacked Margaret, Schlosser told her husband that she wanted to give her to Davidson.<ref name = Doyle>[https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/the-devil-and-doyle-davidson-6378913 The Devil and Doyle Davidson], ''The Dallas Observer''</ref> Later that day, according to a confidential CPS report, he spanked her with a wooden spoon in front of their children. She fatally injured Margaret, while her other two daughters were not harmed.

Psychologist David Self testified that Schlosser told him about a disturbing news story she had seen. The news story concerned a boy who was mauled by a lion and she interpreted it as a sign of the coming apocalypse. She said that she heard God commanding her to remove Margaret's arms and then her own. Hours after her arrest, she was heard repeatedly chanting, “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord.” The attack was later described as "religious frenzy". Self determined that she suffered from postpartum psychosis.

Psychologist David Self testified that Schlosser told him about a disturbing news story she had seen. The news story concerned a boy who was mauled by a lion and she interpreted it as a sign of the coming apocalypse. She said that she heard God commanding her to remove Margaret's arms and then her own<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/20/AR2006022001197.html Mother Says God Told Her to Cut Baby], ''The Washington Post''</ref> Hours after her arrest, she was heard repeatedly chanting, “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord.” The attack was later described as "religious frenzy". Self determined that she suffered from postpartum psychosis.

Schlosser was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to the North Texas State Hospital and ordered to go there until she is deemed to no longer be a threat to herself or others. There, she was a roommate of [[Andrea Yates]], a Texas woman who had drowned her five children in a bathtub.

Schlosser was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to the North Texas State Hospital and ordered to go there until she is deemed to no longer be a threat to herself or others.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/5731007f97cf7a1cd221816acc07f7a7 Texas Mom Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity], ''AP News''</ref> There, she was a roommate of [[Andrea Yates]], a Texas woman who had drowned her five children in a bathtub.<ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2006/10/09/2006-we-talk-about-our-memories-child-killers-schlosser-yates-find-solace-in-friendship/ ‘We talk about our memories:’ Child-killers Dena Schlosser, Andrea Yates find solace in friendship], ''The Dallas Morning News''</ref>

During the trial, much attention was drawn to Schlosser and her husband attending Water of Life Church, a charismatic church pastored by Davidson. She had been taking antipsychotic drugs for several years prior to Margaret's death. Davidson thought that mental illness was demonic and this belief partly led Schlosser's husband to not buy her medication regularly. Under oath, Davidson testified that in his view, all mental illness is demonic at bottom. Due to viewer outcry after the trial, Davidson's television ministry was canceled everywhere outside the Metroplex.

During the trial, much attention was drawn to Schlosser and her husband attending Water of Life Church, a charismatic church pastored by Davidson. She had been taking antipsychotic drugs for several years prior to Margaret's death. Davidson thought that mental illness was demonic and this belief partly led Schlosser's husband to not buy her medication regularly. Under oath, Davidson testified that in his view, all mental illness is demonic at bottom.<ref name = Doyle></ref> Due to viewer outcry after the trial, Davidson's television ministry was canceled everywhere outside the Metroplex.

After Schlosser's arrest, her children were taken by CPS and kept in foster care. Schlosser's husband underwent a psychological evaluation, where he was diagnosed with "narcissistic personality traits." The psychological report also stated that he did not do enough to protect his daughters from his mentally ill wife. CPS said they would only allow him to regain custody of them under the condition that his sister live with the family, and he was required to complete psychotherapy and parenting classes. He obliged and got them back in his home. He subsequently filed for divorce. As part of the divorce settlement, Schlosser was prohibited from ever having contact with him or their daughters again.

On November 6, 2008, it was announced that Schlosser would shortly be released into outpatient care. The order required her to see a psychiatrist once a week, take medication, be on physician-approved birth control, and not have any unsupervised contact with children.

On November 6, 2008, it was announced that Schlosser would shortly be released into outpatient care. The order required her to see a psychiatrist once a week, take medication, be on physician-approved birth control, and not have any unsupervised contact with children.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27596457 Woman who cut off baby's arms to be released], ''NBC News''</ref>

In April 2010, it was reported that Schlosser was recommitted after firefighters from Richardson saw her walking down the street at 2 am. Her attorney, David Haynes, said that he felt the judge made the correct decision.

In April 2010, it was reported that Schlosser was recommitted after firefighters from Richardson saw her walking down the street at 2 am. Her attorney, David Haynes, said that he felt the judge made the correct decision.<ref>[https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/plano-mother-who-cut-babys-arms-off-ordered-back-into-state-mental-hospital/287-411199978 Plano mother who cut baby's arms off ordered back into state mental hospital], ''WFAA''</ref>

~~Schlosser was later released to outpatient status~~. ~~She stayed out of the public eye until 2012, when WFAA~~-~~TV in Dallas reported that she was working under her maiden name~~, ~~Leitner, at a Walmart in Terrell. Within hours, they fired her.~~

Schlosser was later released to outpatient status. She stayed out of the public eye until 2012, when WFAA-TV in Dallas reported that she was working under her maiden name, Leitner, at a Walmart in Terrell. Within hours, they fired her.<ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2012/08/07/woman-who-cut-off-babys-arms-in-2004-is-fired-from-job-at-wal-mart-in-terrell/ Woman who cut off baby’s arms in 2004 is fired from job at Wal-Mart in Terrell], ''The Dallas Morning News''</ref>

==References==

[[Category:Modern Villains]]

[[Category:Imprisoned]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Mature}}
 {{Villain_Infobox
-|Image = Dena_Schlosser.jpg
+|Image = Dena Schlosser.jpg
 |fullname = Dena Schlosser
 |alias = Dena Leitner (maiden name)<br>The Plano Baby Chopper
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 The day after Margaret was born, Schlosser attempted suicide. Five days after her suicide attempts, she burst out of the apartment and took off running while one of her other daughters was watching ''The Little Mermaid'' on TV; she believed that the characters on the TV were talking & laughing at her. After these incidents, she was hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features. She had been investigated earlier that year by the Texas Child Protective Services (CPS) after she was hospitalized for a psychotic episode. CPS ordered that she could not be alone with her children. Her sister-in-law came to live with them until CPS lifted the order.
-Schlosser came to believe that Margaret was destined to marry Doyle Davidson, a veterinarian who had become their pastor. The day before she attacked Margaret, Schlosser told her husband that she wanted to give her to Davidson. Later that day, according to a confidential CPS report, he spanked her with a wooden spoon in front of their children. She fatally injured Margaret, while her other two daughters were not harmed.
+Schlosser came to believe that Margaret was destined to marry Doyle Davidson, a veterinarian who had become their pastor. The day before she attacked Margaret, Schlosser told her husband that she wanted to give her to Davidson.<ref name = Doyle>[https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/the-devil-and-doyle-davidson-6378913 The Devil and Doyle Davidson], ''The Dallas Observer''</ref> Later that day, according to a confidential CPS report, he spanked her with a wooden spoon in front of their children. She fatally injured Margaret, while her other two daughters were not harmed.
-Psychologist David Self testified that Schlosser told him about a disturbing news story she had seen. The news story concerned a boy who was mauled by a lion and she interpreted it as a sign of the coming apocalypse. She said that she heard God commanding her to remove Margaret's arms and then her own. Hours after her arrest, she was heard repeatedly chanting, “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord.” The attack was later described as "religious frenzy". Self determined that she suffered from postpartum psychosis.
+Psychologist David Self testified that Schlosser told him about a disturbing news story she had seen. The news story concerned a boy who was mauled by a lion and she interpreted it as a sign of the coming apocalypse. She said that she heard God commanding her to remove Margaret's arms and then her own<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/20/AR2006022001197.html Mother Says God Told Her to Cut Baby], ''The Washington Post''</ref> Hours after her arrest, she was heard repeatedly chanting, “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Lord.” The attack was later described as "religious frenzy". Self determined that she suffered from postpartum psychosis.
-Schlosser was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to the North Texas State Hospital and ordered to go there until she is deemed to no longer be a threat to herself or others. There, she was a roommate of [[Andrea Yates]], a Texas woman who had drowned her five children in a bathtub.
+Schlosser was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to the North Texas State Hospital and ordered to go there until she is deemed to no longer be a threat to herself or others.<ref>[https://apnews.com/article/5731007f97cf7a1cd221816acc07f7a7 Texas Mom Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity], ''AP News''</ref> There, she was a roommate of [[Andrea Yates]], a Texas woman who had drowned her five children in a bathtub.<ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2006/10/09/2006-we-talk-about-our-memories-child-killers-schlosser-yates-find-solace-in-friendship/ ‘We talk about our memories:’ Child-killers Dena Schlosser, Andrea Yates find solace in friendship], ''The Dallas Morning News''</ref>
-During the trial, much attention was drawn to Schlosser and her husband attending Water of Life Church, a charismatic church pastored by Davidson. She had been taking antipsychotic drugs for several years prior to Margaret's death. Davidson thought that mental illness was demonic and this belief partly led Schlosser's husband to not buy her medication regularly. Under oath, Davidson testified that in his view, all mental illness is demonic at bottom. Due to viewer outcry after the trial, Davidson's television ministry was canceled everywhere outside the Metroplex.
+During the trial, much attention was drawn to Schlosser and her husband attending Water of Life Church, a charismatic church pastored by Davidson. She had been taking antipsychotic drugs for several years prior to Margaret's death. Davidson thought that mental illness was demonic and this belief partly led Schlosser's husband to not buy her medication regularly. Under oath, Davidson testified that in his view, all mental illness is demonic at bottom.<ref name = Doyle></ref> Due to viewer outcry after the trial, Davidson's television ministry was canceled everywhere outside the Metroplex.
 After Schlosser's arrest, her children were taken by CPS and kept in foster care. Schlosser's husband underwent a psychological evaluation, where he was diagnosed with "narcissistic personality traits." The psychological report also stated that he did not do enough to protect his daughters from his mentally ill wife. CPS said they would only allow him to regain custody of them under the condition that his sister live with the family, and he was required to complete psychotherapy and parenting classes. He obliged and got them back in his home. He subsequently filed for divorce. As part of the divorce settlement, Schlosser was prohibited from ever having contact with him or their daughters again.
-On November 6, 2008, it was announced that Schlosser would shortly be released into outpatient care. The order required her to see a psychiatrist once a week, take medication, be on physician-approved birth control, and not have any unsupervised contact with children.
+On November 6, 2008, it was announced that Schlosser would shortly be released into outpatient care. The order required her to see a psychiatrist once a week, take medication, be on physician-approved birth control, and not have any unsupervised contact with children.<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27596457 Woman who cut off baby's arms to be released], ''NBC News''</ref>
-In April 2010, it was reported that Schlosser was recommitted after firefighters from Richardson saw her walking down the street at 2 am. Her attorney, David Haynes, said that he felt the judge made the correct decision.
+In April 2010, it was reported that Schlosser was recommitted after firefighters from Richardson saw her walking down the street at 2 am. Her attorney, David Haynes, said that he felt the judge made the correct decision.<ref>[https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/plano-mother-who-cut-babys-arms-off-ordered-back-into-state-mental-hospital/287-411199978 Plano mother who cut baby's arms off ordered back into state mental hospital], ''WFAA''</ref>
-Schlosser was later released to outpatient status. She stayed out of the public eye until 2012, when WFAA-TV in Dallas reported that she was working under her maiden name, Leitner, at a Walmart in Terrell. Within hours, they fired her.
+Schlosser was later released to outpatient status. She stayed out of the public eye until 2012, when WFAA-TV in Dallas reported that she was working under her maiden name, Leitner, at a Walmart in Terrell. Within hours, they fired her.<ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2012/08/07/woman-who-cut-off-babys-arms-in-2004-is-fired-from-job-at-wal-mart-in-terrell/ Woman who cut off baby’s arms in 2004 is fired from job at Wal-Mart in Terrell], ''The Dallas Morning News''</ref>
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
 [[Category:Modern Villains]]
 [[Category:Imprisoned]]