Marybeth Tinning

Marybeth Tinning
Born
Marybeth Roe

(1942-09-11) September 11, 1942 (age 82)
Duanesburg, New York, U.S.
OccupationFormer nursing assistant
Criminal statusReleased from incarceration on August 21, 2018
Spouse
Joe Tinning
​
(m. 1965)​
Children
  • Barbara
  • Joseph
  • Jennifer
  • Timothy
  • Nathan
  • Michael B Angelo
  • Mary Frances
  • Jonathan
  • Tami Lynne
Conviction(s)Second-degree murder
July 17, 1987
Criminal penalty20 years to life
Details
Victims9 (charged for 3)
DateDecember 20, 1985
WeaponsPillow (smothering)
Imprisoned atBedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women
in Bedford Hills, New York, U.S.

Marybeth Roe Tinning (born September 11, 1942) is an American murderer and suspected serial killer who was convicted in New York State of the murder of her ninth child, 4-month-old daughter Tami Lynne, on December 20, 1985. She is suspected to be similarly involved in the previous deaths of her eight children, all of which took place within the span of fourteen years.[1][2][3]

The causes of death for Tinning's first eight children was initially thought to be genetic. Even when their sixth child, Michael – who was adopted and not of blood relation – died in 1981, authorities failed to open an investigation.[2][4] Eventually, Schenectady County prosecutors had enough evidence – a laboratory test indicating death from asphyxia by suffocation – to charge Tinning in Tami Lynne's death. In July 1987, she was convicted of second-degree murder[5] and sentenced to twenty years to life in prison. An appeal to the New York Supreme Court, arguing that her confession was coerced and there was insufficient evidence to convict her, was denied.[1][2]

It is unclear if Tinning has ever been diagnosed with Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP). Some believe that her pattern of behavior aligns perfectly with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition's (DSM-5) Development and Course section on the disorder: "In individuals with recurrent episodes of falsification of signs and symptoms of illness and/or induction of injury, this pattern of successive deceptive contact with medical personnel, including hospitalizations, may become lifelong."[6][7][8][9]

Tinning was incarcerated at Taconic Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills, New York. She was denied parole six times, but was granted parole at her seventh hearing in July 2018 and was released on August 21 of that year.[10][11]

  1. ^ a b McPadden, Mike (May 12, 2017). "Murderous Moms: Marybeth Tinning, 8 Babies Died In Her Care, Convicted For Killing 9th". CrimeFeed. Schenectady, New York. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Lovitt, Bryn (August 31, 2016). "Beyond Gypsy Blancharde: When Mothers Harm Their Kids for Attention". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 10, 2017. The story of Marybeth Tinning and her nine deceased children goes down as one of the most puzzling and fatal cases of Munchausen's Syndrome by proxy in the history of the disorder.
  3. ^ Stone, Michael H.; Brucato, Gary (2019). The New Evil: Understanding the Emergence of Modern Violent Crime. Amherst, New York: Prometheus Books. pp. 39–40. ISBN 978-1633885325.
  4. ^ Bovsun, Mara (March 20, 2011). "14 years and nine tiny corpses later, authorities finally took action on murderous mother". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Leggett was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Gemmill, Allie (May 24, 2017). "8 Fascinating Cases Of Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy, The Disturbing Disorder At The Heart Of 'Mommy Dead & Dearest'". Bustle. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  7. ^ Jonathan Bandler (June 22, 2014). "Munchausen's role in case of boy's death unknown". The Journal News. Retrieved November 10, 2017. ...Few murder trials have revolved around Munchausen by proxy, even when the syndrome may have been suspected. Marybeth Tinning was a Schenectady, N.Y., woman...
  8. ^ "Marybeth Tinning and a fatal need for attention". Sovereign Health of Florida. Sovereign Health Group. August 20, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  9. ^ "10 Shocking Cases Involving Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy". Listverse. September 3, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  10. ^ Carola, Chris (July 16, 2018). "Woman who killed daughter in '80s granted parole on 7th try". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  11. ^ Cook, Steven (August 21, 2018). "Convicted child killer Marybeth Tinning released". The Daily Gazette.