Mum who killed son given indefinite hospital order
SuppliedThis article contains distressing details.
A mother who killed her eight-year-old son by poisoning him has been given an indefinite hospital order.
Louise Cameron, 41, killed her son Rhys in a murder suicide attempt at their home in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, in September last year, Teesside Crown Court heard.
She was charged with murder but was found to be unfit to enter a plea or stand trial earlier this month. However, a jury which heard the details of the case against her, agreed she had carried out the acts she was accused of.
At Teesside Crown Court, judge Mrs Justice Williams said she was satisfied that "a hospital order was the most appropriate way of dealing" with the case.
Cameron was given the hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act.
Dr Caroline Bradley, a consultant forensic psychologist, said since entering a secure hospital Cameron had assaulted staff and fellow patients.
Cameron was assessed by two psychiatrists before her trial began and found to have a psychotic illness, "most probably schizophrenia" but possibly schizoaffective disorder.
After several months of treatment at a secure hospital she remained acutely "psychotic" with "persecutory delusions" and auditory and visual hallucinations, the court heard.
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An impact statement from Rhys' paternal aunt which was read in court said Rhys "brought joy to those who knew him".
She said: "We have been deprived of watching him grow and develop into the person he was meant to become.
"Nothing can bring Rhys back. We can only ask that the court remember that this case was about a little boy whose life mattered."
'Tragically short life'
Rhys was found dead in his mother's bed by concerned relatives on 15 September, two days after he was last seen in public, the court heard.
Cameron had taken a drugs overdose and given her son blackcurrant juice laced with her medication and powerful painkillers, the court was told.
She left a note for her family in which she said she had poisoned her son and was "not dying" without him.
She also made numerous comments to police officers, including she wanted to die with her son and had not wanted to stab or drown him, the court heard.
The judge thanked jurors for their "conscientious" efforts in what had been a "distressing" case.
Paying tribute to the family, she said: "I know you will never forget Rhys and he will always be with you."
Supt Deb Fenny said she hoped the outcome would give the family "a small measure of closure".
"It has been clear to everyone involved in this investigation just how deeply loved Rhys was and the lasting impact he had on those who knew him during his tragically short life," she said.
