Mother convicted in drowning her children back on suicide watch

Mother convicted in drowning her children back on suicide watch HOUSTON (AP) _ A woman convicted last year of drowning her five children in a bathtub has been placed on suicide

Tuesday, October 14th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Mother convicted in drowning her children back on suicide watch

HOUSTON (AP) _ A woman convicted last year of drowning her five children in a bathtub has been placed on suicide watch for at least the third time since she was arrested, her defense lawyer said.

Andrea Yates, 39, remains in isolation at a prison for mentally ill inmates, but is showing gradual improvement, defense lawyer George Parnham said Tuesday.

About three weeks ago she slipped into a psychotic state, said Parnham, who is planning to appeal her conviction.

Yates claimed insanity after drowning her five children in their family's bathtub in June 2001. She called 911 after the drownings and later told police the devil had told her to kill her kids.

Jurors rejected her plea, convicting her of murder, and she is serving life in prison. Yates becomes eligible for parole in 2041.

Prosecutor Kaylynn Williford did not immediately return a message left Tuesday.