The Yates family consisted of husband Russel Yates, wife Andrea Yates, four Noah (7), John (6), Paul (4), Luke (2), and daughter Mary (1). From the outside the family looked like a typically happy family in the suburbs, but sadly they were the farthest thing from it. On June 20, 2001 Andrea Yates drown her five young children in her bathtub. At first they were a happy family until after the birth of luke, their fourth son, that Andrea became depressed. In 1999 she attempted to commit suicide and was later admitted into the hospital. Andera was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis and was advise to not have anymore children or watch over the children without supervision. The Yates conceived their fifth child about seven weeks after her discharge. On a typically day in June, Russell went to work and left Andrea with the children.

     “Mr. Yates's mother, Dora Yates, had been scheduled by Russell to arrive an hour later to take over for Andrea. In the space of that hour, Andrea Yates drowned all five of her children She started with the youngest boys, and after drowning them in her bathtub, laid them in her bed. She then drowned Mary, who she left floating in the tub. Her oldest son, Noah, came in and asked what was wrong with Mary. Noah then ran, but Andrea soon caught up with him and drowned him. She then left him floating in the tub and laid Mary in the arms of her brothers. Afterwards, she called the police. Then she called her husband, saying and repeating only two words: “It’s time”(Montaldo).

      In 2002 Andrea Yates was convicted of capital murder and sentence to life in prison. Later in 2006 a jury found Andrea Yates was not guilty by reason of insanity. She is currently at a high-security mental health facility. Russel Yates stood by his wife throughout her entire trial but later divorced her in 2006. 

work cited: 

Montaldo, Charles. "Andrea Yates - Profile of Andrea Yates." Crime and Punishment Home Page. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. <http://crime.about.com/od/current/p/andreayates.htm>.