There is no question that COVID-19 changed us all. In the beginning, many people lived in constant fear of contracting the virus and worried about how it could affect their bodies. We spent time social distancing, masking, and isolating to keep it at bay. It’s a tricky virus that continues to mutate rapidly, leading to very different symptoms and reactions from one person to the next. Precious Bland, a mother from South Florida, claims that COVID made her experience psychosis.
The effects were so bad that Bland reportedly drowned her 15-month-old daughter on August 23, 2021. Five years later, she’s rejected a plea deal in court and wants the virus held responsible for her actions.
The family’s home was a chaotic scene.
According to a 2021 report by NBC Miami, the baby’s death took place at a home near in West Little River. Bland reportedly became upset and started ranting, according to court documents. She allegedly told her family, “Jesus Christ is coming, and Covid is going to kill us all.” The mother insisted that the entire family had to be baptized in the bathtub to save them.
The baptism apparently turned into a crime scene.
Bland’s unidentified husband reportedly tried to stop her, but she got a knife and allegedly stabbed him multiple times. He was able to get four children out of the home, but a 16-year-old was left with a stab wound to her arm, NBC Miami reported. Bland allegedly held her 15-month-old under water until the baby became unresponsive. When emergency crews arrived, they desperately tried to save the child but could not revive her. Staff at Jackson North Medical Center declared her dead a short time later, according to the outlet.
Bland’s attorneys claim COVID caused temporary insanity.
Bland, who faces a second-degree murder charge among others, rejected a plea offer during a May 18, 2026, court appearance, CBS Miami reported. Her attorney, Larry Handfield, claims his client became temporarily insane due to COVID.
“I don’t believe that. Person should accept responsibility for actions that they have no knowledge of,” Handfield said.
The defense hired experts to conduct a mental health evaluation. The evaluation reportedly “is in agreement with Dr. Mark Milk (Defense expert) who likewise concluded that Ms. Bland satisfied the M’Naghten Standard for insanity at the time of the offenses,” CBS Miami reported.
The judge addressed Bland and made it very clear what could happen if she rejected the plea deal.
“Either the jury finds you not guilty by reason of insanity, but if they find you guilty I may have to sentence you to life in prison,” the judge said.
We’ve never heard of a COVID defense for murder, but Bland could be the first. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out.
