“Divine Mercy” Written in Blood Near Child's Body

"Divine Mercy" written in blood above child's body

The mother accused of murdering her 4-year-old daughter told authorities she did it to keep the girl from being sold as an Internet sex slave, ChicagoBreakingNews reported.

But perhaps the most shocking detail about the crime is what police found when they entered the upstairs bathroom at the Bloomingdale home where 43-year-old Marci M. Webber was staying. In the bathtub was the body of little Magdalene Webber. And according to the state's attorney, on the wall beside her, the words "Divine Mercy" were written in blood.

At a Sunday morning hearing, the 43-year-old mother's bond was set at $5 million. She's charged with first-degree murder in Magdalene's death.

The little girl had been drugged to keep her asleep during the fatal attack, prosecutors said. But it's possible she awoke when her mother used a 4-inch knife to slash through her throat so deeply, the blade touched her spine, according to the state's attorney.

Authorities say Webber tried to kill herself by slashing her wrist, but survived. She's out of the hospital and being held in a DuPage County Jail cell.

Authorities anticipate that Webber will enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. They have ordered a mental evaluation.

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