Tragedy at a home in Duxbury, Massachusetts last Tuesday caused the deaths of three young children, allegedly in the arms of their mother.
Lindsey Clancy, a 32-year-old Massachusetts General Hospital employee, faces several charges in the deaths of her children, identified as 5-year-old Cora Clancy, 3-year-old Dawson Clancy and 8-month-old Callen Clancy.
Patrick Clancy, Lindsay’s husband and father-of-three, has remained silent in the days since the shocking incident, but released a statement on Saturday, speaking publicly for the first time.
In his statement, Patrick Clancy said he had already forgiven his wife and asked others to do the same, noting that the “real Lindsay” was loving and caring to everyone. He also remembered each of his children, saying that Cora had an infectious laugh, Dawson’s best quality was his pure kindness, and that Callen was an incredibly happy and vibrant baby.
“My family was the best thing that ever happened to me. I was proud to be Lindsey’s husband and father to Cora, Dawson and Callen,” he wrote. “They gave me a purpose and I never took it for granted. Now, where that goal once was, there is a huge void.”
Days after his two siblings died, an 8-month-old baby also died, allegedly in their mother’s arms.
Here is his full statement, released on Saturday, January 28:
Patrick Clancy’s full statement
Thank you all for the love and support. The warmth I have received from the community is palpable and your generosity gives me hope that I can focus on some kind of healing. I’ve seen all your messages and contributions, including some from people I haven’t seen in over a decade and many I’ve never met. I see and appreciate each of you.
Many people have said they can’t imagine and they are right, there is absolutely nothing to prepare you. The shock and pain are excruciating and unrelenting. I constantly remind myself of them, and with the little sleep I get, I dream about them constantly. Every parent knows that it is impossible to know how much you will love your children until you have them. The same goes for understanding the devastation of losing them. Cora, Dawson and Callen were the essence of my life and I am completely lost without them.
My family was the best thing that ever happened to me. I was proud to be Lindsay’s husband and father to Cora, Dawson, and Callen. I always reminded myself that every day with them was a new gift. Callen would usually wake up first and rest her head on my shoulder for a few minutes while she got used to the morning. Dawson would usually sing or speak his thoughts out loud for a while before we went to pick him up. Cora was a big girl and she just walked down the stairs. I can still vividly picture her coming into the living room every morning with disheveled hair and a smile on her face. We always started our days together reading books, cuddling on the sofa and playing with magnetic tiles. I loved taking them places, whether it was scootering at Chandler Elementary, vacations, skiing, boating, or Duxbury Beach, one of our favorite places on earth. They gave me a purpose and I never took it for granted. Now, where that goal once was, there is a huge void.
Cora had an infectious laugh and was incredibly beautiful. She was the cautious one, but really because she was so caring. She said she wanted to be a doctor and a mother when she grew up, and she would practice examining Callen. If she left the house to go somewhere, she would choose someone to look after Caroline and Charlotte, her dolls. She had all the doll accessories so her sitters were well equipped. Before she was 2 years old, she was already swaddling them in perfect diapers. We’d tell her she’s such a “good little mom.” She loved all babies, both real and imaginary. She loved sloths, unicorns, tea parties, going to lunch with Nana and Grandpa and giving people presents. She knew everything about princesses, her favorite being Sofia the First. She really loved her brothers and us and often said it in her sweet voice. We did a lot of father-daughter activities together, like skiing and visiting San Francisco or just talking. I loved her, my firstborn, so much.
Dawson had beautiful, bold, brown eyes that sparkled with friendship. He was naturally funny and generous beyond the norm of a typical toddler, always willing to share his toys with others. For all the love he received, he always gave more back. His best quality was his pure kindness. He loved trucks, tractors, dinosaurs, Paw Patrol, “Workers” and being outside. He was adventurous and mischievous and liked to cause trouble, which he usually found hilarious. He was also remarkably intelligent. We’ve always said that if we don’t save enough for retirement, we’ll be fine – we’ll just live in Dawson’s guest house. He hugged me tighter than most adults and every night he told me in consistent words before bed without missing a beat, “good night dad, I love you.” We had a special bond from day one. He was my friend, my first boy and truly a gift.
Callen was our calm child. I always said that he was the third child – he had to adapt and he did easily. He was born with almost no problems and was our best sleeper. He was just an incredibly happy and lively baby, always smiling. Our nickname for him was “Happy Callen”. He was sitting alone and you could tell he was enjoying his growing independence as he grabbed every object within his reach. Sometimes he would join my Microsoft calls in the background, playing his jump. I would leave my camera on, too proud to leave it off. He started saying “Dada” when I entered the room. The last moment we spent together was our routine. I would leave my office at the end of the day and cradle him between my legs as he laughed and smiled. If I ever had a bad day, Callen always knew how to cure me. Maybe that’s why he held on a little longer – to spare me any pain he could. As painful as it was, I was lucky and grateful to feel his warmth until his last moment. Faith is my only hope to believe that he feels mine.
Cullen died with great courage even though he was so young. Maybe this was his way of demonstrating what I needed to do to move forward. I will always try to draw inspiration from him. He will always be my little hero.
I want to share some thoughts about Lindsay. Recently, she has been largely portrayed by people who have never met her and never knew who the real Lindsay was. Our marriage was wonderful and diametrically got stronger as her condition rapidly deteriorated. I was as proud to be her husband as I was to be her father, and I felt unfailingly lucky to have her in my life. I still remember the moment I first saw her and I can remember how overwhelmed I was by the love at first sight that you only see in movies. It really wasn’t long before I was sure I wanted to marry her. We said “I love you” to each other several times a day as if it were a reflex. We usually started each morning with a passionate hug, inducing a sigh of relief, as if each of us had received the perfect medicine. If too much time went by without a hug, she would look at me and ask, “did you forget?” We mutually understood the reality that people can have bad days, but we stuck to the rule that when one of us got lost, the other was always there to to bring them home, always. She loved being a nurse, but nothing could compare to her intense love for our children and her dedication to being a mother. It was all she ever wanted. Her passion taught me how to be a better father.
I want to ask all of you to find it deep within yourself to forgive Lindsey as I have. The real Lindsey was generously loving and caring to everyone – me, our children, family, friends and her patients. The very fiber of her soul is loving. All I wish for her now is that she can somehow find peace.
I promise to put all my energy into healing and rediscovering my purpose. I owe this to all of you, the Duxbury Fire and Police Department, our compassionate healthcare workers, our local faith leaders, the Microsoft community, and especially Cora, Dawson, and Callen. I don’t know how or when I will be able to do it, but your love and generosity will help me get started. I know love always wins.
Cora, Dawson, and Callen, you have given me so much in my short time here. I don’t know if the pain will ever go away, but I will do my best to carry on in your honor. Dada loves you so much and will always remember you.
With love and endless gratitude
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