Oldham mum found guilty of murdering son by poisoning him with anti-depressants
Dylan Scanlon died on New Years' Eve 2021
Last updated 12th Jul 2023
A 38-year-old woman has been found guilty of murdering her five-year-old son at their home in Oldham in 2021.
At 6.15 pm on New Year's Eve 2021, Claire Scanlon left her house on Elm Road in Oldham, ran to her uncle's house opposite and told them that her son, Dylan, was not breathing or moving.
Members of her family went over to her house and found Dylan lifeless in a double bed in the main bedroom of the house with numerous bruises on his face and body.
A neighbour had heard both Claire and Dylan's voices through the wall at 2 am that morning, which was the last time he was heard alive.
In the days leading up to his death, Scanlon had sent her ex-partner, Dylan's father, abusive messages and voicemails telling him he would never see his son again.
Police found a note in the house that suggested she had planned for both herself and Dylan to die.
She gave different reasons for his bruises to family and to the paramedics to cover for the fact she had beaten him and given him her anti-depressants.
Toxicological analysis showed that Dylan had been poisoned with Mirtazapine, an anti-depressant which was prescribed to Claire Scanlon. He had a level of the drug in his system which was nine times what would be fatal in an adult. He also had a significant number of bruises to his head and body.
Today she has been found guilty of murder.
Nicola Carter, Senior Crown Prosecutor for North West CPS, said:
"Claire Scanlon's role as a parent was to love and protect her son from harm, but she took the ultimate step to take her young son Dylan away from her ex-partner
"She initially told her family that a ladder had fallen on Dylan, then a short time later she told a paramedic that he had fallen down some steps. The truth was that she had deliberately poisoned and beaten him.
"I would like to offer my sincere sympathies to Dylan's loved ones including his grandfather, father and brother who gave evidence at the trial. They not only have to come to terms with his loss, but also the manner in which he died."
Paying tribute to Dylan in the days after his death, his dad said:
"Dylan was my best mate. He was a happy, funny and cheeky little boy, who was full of excitement - especially about doing new things.
"Dylan loved going to school, playing with his friends and dogs and going for drives with me to parks and lakes. He loved being at the lake but not walking around it - he was there for the ice cream, a ride on daddy's shoulders and a McDonald's on the way home. His favourite times of year were Christmas and his birthday - he knew he'd be spoiled.
"Dylan will be sadly missed by all family and friends, especially his brother, who he loved and absolutely adored. I loved watching them playing with each other, looking after each other and just doing what brothers do."