Attempted Murder Charge Filed

Today, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced charges filed against Madeline Christensen after she allegedly attempted to kill herself and her 3-month-old daughter by getting in a bathtub that had a plugged-in toaster in the water.

The defendant's husband, B.W., told police his wife had been struggling since November 5, 2024. On November 11, 2024, B.W. was in a room in his house when he saw the defendant running with their child and another object in her arms. He then heard the bathroom door shut.  B.W. tried to talk to his wife through the bathroom door, but she did not respond, leading him to break down the door. When the door opened, B.W. saw the defendant kneeling in the bathtub, placing their infant into the water, which had a plugged-in toaster in the water. B.W. quickly grabbed the toaster and pried their 3-month-old infant from the defendant's arms.

When police talked to the defendant, she told them she believed that her family would be tortured and killed if she didn’t kill herself.  She told them prior to going to the bathroom with her child and the toaster, she was sitting on the couch with her baby when her head told her, "You have to do this. It's now or never."

The defendant is charged with one count of first-degree felony attempted murder and one count of second-degree felony aggravated child abuse.

"This is a nuanced case that will likely evolve as it goes through the criminal justice process to address to the challenges the defendant is facing. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please seek out help before you hurt yourself or someone you love," said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. "We appreciate the work of the South Jordan Police Department whose timely investigation, helped lead to these charges being filed. All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law."