Paula Sims, 60, was sentenced to life in prison 30 years ago for killing her two babies three years apart.
Now she is seeking a new trial, citing a new law in Illinois which allows her legal team to present new evidence of postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis.
Learn More About the Paula Sims Case in the Video Below
In 1990, Sims was found guilty of killing her two daughters, Heather and Loralei. Loralei was suffocated when she was just 13 days old. She was discovered in the woods behind Sims’ house. It was initially claimed that Loralei had been kidnapped.
Heather was choked to death at just six weeks old. Sims alleged that she had been knocked out by a masked man and later discovered that her baby was missing. Heather’s body had been disposed of in a garbage can at a local park.
Sims’ attorney Jed Stone told People that the “new science will show his client had PPP at the time she killed her two daughters.” Sims also has a son who she has never harmed.
“At the time of Sims’ trial, there was little to no research of the existence of PPD/PPP,” Stone said. “Before trial, Paula Sims suffered from PPP. She would hallucinate.”
The court hasn’t yet made a decision about granting Sims a
new trial.
When I’m not hanging out with my three-year-old and husband in Brooklyn, I’m busy writing stories for Mamas Uncut and managing PR + Marketing for Magnolia Bakery, based in New York City. On weekends, you can usually find me at a local park or playground pushing my daughter on the swings, “researching” the best almond croissants in Park Slope or launching into impromptu family dance parties at home, the sidewalk or, every once in awhile, a restaurant bathroom. I’m still trying to master the whole parenting thing, but I have learned that copious amounts of coffee, humor and humility are involved on a daily basis.
Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.
