A 38-year-old woman, Claire Scanlon, has been found guilty of the murder of her five-year-old son, Dylan, by poisoning him with antidepressants. The tragic incident occurred on New Year’s Eve in 2021 at their home on Elm Road in Oldham.
On the evening of the incident, Claire Scanlon rushed to her uncle’s house across the road and informed them that Dylan was unresponsive. Family members quickly entered her house and discovered Dylan lifeless in a double bed in the main bedroom. His body displayed numerous bruises on his face and body.
Earlier that morning, a neighbour had heard voices of both Claire and Dylan coming through the wall, marking the last time Dylan was heard alive. In the days leading up to his death, Scanlon had sent abusive messages and voicemails to Dylan’s father, indicating that he would never see his son again.
During the investigation, a note was found at the house, suggesting that Claire had planned for both her and Dylan to die. She provided different explanations for Dylan’s bruises to her family and paramedics, attempting to conceal the fact that she had beaten him and administered her own anti-depressants.
Toxicology analysis revealed that Dylan had been poisoned with Mirtazapine, an antidepressant prescribed to Claire Scanlon. The level of the drug in Dylan’s system was found to be nine times the fatal dose for an adult. Additionally, he had a significant number of bruises on his head and body.
Following a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, Claire Scanlon was found guilty of murder. Nicola Carter, Senior Crown Prosecutor for North West CPS, expressed condolences to Dylan’s loved ones, including his grandfather, father, and brother who testified during the trial. Carter emphasized that Scanlon’s actions betrayed her role as a parent to love and protect her son.
In the aftermath of Dylan’s tragic death, his father paid tribute to him, describing him as his “best friend” and a “happy, funny, and cheeky little boy.” He expressed the profound loss experienced by the family and friends, especially Dylan’s brother, who held a special bond with him.
The case has been closely followed, highlighting the devastating consequences of such heinous acts and the need to protect and safeguard vulnerable children.
