A mother has been found to have caused the death of her eight-year-old son by poisoning his juice. Louise Cameron, 41, gave Rhys Cameron morphine and spiked his blackcurrant juice with methadone. She was deemed unfit to stand trial but watched the verdict via video link from hospital.
Background of the Incident
Cameron left a note for her family over the weekend of September 13 and 14, stating she was "not dying without him." According to TeessideLive, Teesside Crown Court heard that Cameron's sister became concerned when she could not reach her that weekend. She arrived at the house on September 15, ahead of a scheduled visit from Cameron's social worker, and found her sister lying in bed with Rhys, who was dead.
Details from the Court
The jury was told that Cameron appeared "out of it" and may have attempted a fatal overdose herself. A family member told police that Cameron had been stressed during a pub meal on the Friday, when Rhys, who was autistic, "had a meltdown." The relative said Cameron had hoped to speak with her social worker during a visit that week but claimed the professional had "left early" when Rhys was crying "because the television wasn't working."
At the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, the court heard Cameron say: "I've just murdered Rhys. I didn't want to have to stab him or drown him or hurt him."
Verdict and Sentencing
The jury spent less than an hour on Thursday morning, June 11, deciding whether Cameron carried out the act she was accused of. Judge Heather Williams stated that Cameron will be sentenced on June 18.
