Durham mother accused of killing her son files motion for insanity plea

A Durham mother accused of killing her 3-year-old son, and trying to kill her other child will plead not guilty, according to her lawyers. 

2026-08-20

On Thursday, Andrea Faust's lawyers said she is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. 

Faust was charged in February with the death of her children. The plea motion was filed on Wednesday.

This comes after a judge ruled in March that she was incompetent to stand trial after two suicide attempts. 

Previously in court, her husband said she was a "tremendous mother" who suffered from a mental health crisis.

If you're having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.