In a tragic and shocking case, a 24-year-old Georgia mom named Chloe Driver was convicted of killing her 13-month-old daughter, Hannah. Chloe, who struggled with mental health issues and lived in a polygamist group with extreme beliefs, brutally stabbed her baby in December 2020.
The Motivation Behind the Crime
Prosecutors said Chloe killed her daughter because she wanted her husband, Ben Michael, all to herself. Ben was not just Chloe’s husband but also had two other wives. Their group followed strict and unusual practices, like drinking urine and avoiding traditional medicine.
During the trial, Chloe’s unstable past came to light. She grew up in a troubled home, had a history of mental illness, and was in what was described as an “abusive and oppressive” marriage. The defense argued that Chloe was driven by mental illness and delusions, claiming she couldn’t tell right from wrong at the time of the murder.
What Happened That Day
On December 8, 2020, police were called to Chloe’s home in Canton, Georgia, where they found her and baby Hannah in a bedroom, both with stab wounds. The little girl was covered in blood, and Chloe was holding her hand.
Chloe had locked herself and her daughter in the room and attacked Hannah with a kitchen knife. The baby didn’t survive her injuries, while Chloe was rushed to the hospital.
When Ben discovered what happened, witnesses say he let out a “blood-curdling scream,” asking Chloe, “What did you do?”
Mental Health Struggles and Cult-Like Control
Chloe’s life was deeply affected by her mental health issues. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and borderline personality disorder. Experts explained that Chloe’s mental state had been deteriorating for months due to isolation, delusions, and the strict control of her polygamist group.
In the months leading up to the tragedy, Chloe felt like she was “pouring sin” into her baby through breastfeeding. She believed she and her daughter were “embodiments of sin” because of the group’s teachings.
She was also subjected to disturbing punishments in the group, including something called “dark therapy,” where she was forced to stay in complete darkness, denied basic needs, and made to urinate on herself.
The Day Everything Changed
Experts testified that Chloe’s mental state worsened after her husband threw a dirty shirt at her when she asked for something clean for Hannah. That moment, combined with months of delusions and isolation, pushed her over the edge.
Chloe later admitted in a letter, “I was going insane… I only wanted my baby and husband, but he refused.”
The Verdict
After six days of emotional testimony, the jury found Chloe guilty but mentally ill. This means they didn’t accept her insanity defense and held her responsible for her actions. Chloe now awaits sentencing, which is set for December 12.
Her mother, Renee, had tried to convince Chloe to leave the group and come home. Renee described Chloe as a loving mom who adored Hannah, but in the months before the tragedy, she noticed Chloe seemed like a different person—detached and broken.
A Heartbreaking Ending
This case highlights the devastating effects of mental illness, abuse, and isolation. Baby Hannah’s tragic death leaves many questions about how society can better support vulnerable individuals before it’s too late.
Chloe will now be in the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections, where they’ll address her mental health needs.
