A mother from West London has admitted killing her disabled 10-year-old boy after suffering a mental breakdown while struggling to care for him during the lockdown.
Olga Freeman, 40, was charged with the murder of Dylan Freeman, who was found dead at their home in Cumberland Park, Acton, on August 15 last year.
The boy was found in the master bedroom of the house lying on his back covered by a duvet with parts of a sponge in his throat and toys had been placed beside him.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of Dylan’s death as a restriction of the airways.
At the time of his death, his father, the celebrity photographer Dean Freeman, was in Spain.
From a young age Dylan had been diagnosed with autism, global neurodevelopmental delay, progressive myopia and significant difficulties with language and communication, self-help and independence. He was suffocated at his home in Acton sometime between August 14 and August 17, 2020.
In the week leading up to the killing, Freeman had spoken about saving the world and being a Messiah. In a voice recording she said: “This is my job: to sacrifice my beloved child to create a balance in this world.”
Freeman attended Acton police station to report herself following the killing. When police officers arrived at the scene they found Dylan placed in his mother’s bed.
At a virtual hearing on Monday at the Old Bailey, Russian national Freeman denied her son’s murder but admitted manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.
Prosecutor Gareth Patterson QC said the plea was acceptable to the Crown after careful consideration.
Kristen Katsouris, from the CPS said: “This was a tragic death of a child at the hands of his mother who was struggling to cope.
“Olga Freeman had loved and cared for Dylan for many years, but the strain and pressures of her son’s severe and complex special needs had built up and that combined with her impaired mental health led to heart-breaking consequences.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected by this case.”
Share on your Social Networks