Hoffman Estates mother gets 11 years for attempted murder of children

A Hoffman Estates mother pleaded guilty Monday to the attempted murder of her two children in exchange for an 11-year prison sentence.

Tracy F. Johnson, 41, asked Cook County Judge Joseph Cataldo to reduce that sentence by “at least a few months or a year.”

“I have done well while I've been here on medication and services,” said Johnson, who appeared in the Rolling Meadows courtroom via teleconference from Cook County jail because of precautions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cataldo acknowledged Johnson's progress, but did not reduce the sentence, noting the court's original offer included “significantly more time.”

During her bond hearing, prosecutors told the court Johnson ground up various medications and served them to her children, ages 2 and 5, in smoothies in May 2017. Prosecutors said she subsequently tied plastic bags around the children's heads and turned on the stove burners but did not light them. She also tried to kill herself, prosecutors said.

Responding to a relative's request for a well-being check, Hoffman Estates police went to Johnson's apartment, where they smelled gas. They found Johnson and one of the children unconscious and the other child stumbling around the home, prosecutors said. According to them, Johnson had previously made threats to harm herself.

Prosecutors say Johnson told authorities "heaven was the best place for all three of them."

Both children recovered, authorities said.

Johnson received credit for a little more than three years she has been in custody. She must serve at least 85% of her sentence before she is eligible for release.