A Florida mother, Precious Bland, accused of drowning her infant daughter during a religious ritual has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury accepted her defense that severe, COVID-19-induced delusions, including fears of an apocalypse, rendered her unable to understand her actions. She will now receive psychiatric treatment instead of a prison sentence, sparking debate on mental illness and criminal responsibility.

The defense attorney argued at the trial that Precious Bland suffered a psychotic episode triggered by COVID-19 when she killed her daughter.

A Florida mother, Precious Bland, accused of drowning her infant daughter during a religious ritual has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury accepted her defense…