Mum found GUILTY of murdering son, 5, by poisoning him with anti-depressants

A mum has been found guilty of murdering her five-year-old son after poisoning him with anti-depressants. Emergency services were called to Limeside, Oldham, on New Year's Eve, 2021 following reports Dylan Scanlon was unconscious.

Neighbours and family members attempted to resuscitate him, but he was sadly pronounced dead. He was found with over 60 bruises to his head, face and body. A toxicology report concluded he had nine times the fatal limit of anti-depressants in his system.

The child's mother Claire Scanlon, 38, claimed he had fallen down stepladders and that he had been 'running around with the dog' just 20 minutes before reporting him unresponsive. She was arrested and later hospitalised under the Mental Health Act, during which she admitted to staff members at Edenfield Hospital: "I killed my son."

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features

A police investigation revealed a large number of 'angry' voicemails to her ex-partner Gary Keenan, in which she said he left her for another woman while she struggled to live 'emotionally, practically and financially' as a single mum.

Prosecutors said Scanlon was 'very angry and depressed' following the breakdown of the relationship. In one voicemail, she said: "I promise you, you won't see him again. You'll see. Bye. Go and enjoy your life."

Following a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court, Scanlon was found guilty of murder. Prosecuting, Lisa Wilding KC told jurors that Ms Scanlon had met Mr Keenan in 2005, and that she had a son from a previous relationship, Shawn Scanlon, who Mr Keenan took on as his own.

Dylan was born in October 2016. Scanlon and Mr Keenan's relationship broke down in 2020 and Mr Keenan moved out.