Andrea Yates Declines to Leave Mental Hospital

Andrea Yates garnered international news coverage in June 2001 after she confessed to drowning her five young children in the bathtub of their Houston, TX home.

A jury in 2002 convicted her of capital murder and she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years. However, in 2006, Yates’ attorneys appealed the case. In a retrial, Yates was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Yates suffered from severe postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, and schizophrenia.

Yates, now 57, has been at Kerrville State Hospital since January 2007. Every year, Yates can undergo a psychiatric review to see if she is competent to leave the hospital. People Magazine reports that Yates has waived her right to be reviewed every year, choosing to continue her treatment.

 Yates’ attorney, George Parnham, says he keeps in contact with her and that she is happy with the care she is receiving at the hospital.