A MUM smothered her autistic son to death then tried to kill herself after struggling to care for his needs, a court heard.
Lincoln Brookes, five, was discovered dead at home in South Ockendon, Essex, by his dad Nicky when he returned home from work.
Lincoln Brookes was allegedly murdered by his mum[/caption]
The youngster was discovered by his dad[/caption]
Jurors heard his mum Claire Button had placed a note next to his body that read: “DNR – do not resuscitate”.
The 35-year-old also wrote another note, saying: “He [Lincoln] does not fit in the world and where he doesn’t fit I don’t either.”
Basildon Crown Court heard Lincoln had been diagnosed with autism and learning difficulties but loved going to his mainstream school.
The youngster lived at home with his mum and dad and was “part of a large network of family support”.
Button’s mum lived nearby and had qualified as a carer so that she could help look after Lincoln, jurors heard.
During the school summer holidays in 2024, Button was taken by her mum to a mental health unit where she was diagnosed with depression and given medication.
The court heard the medication “appeared to be having a positive effect” and by the time Lincoln returned to school, things had improved.
But each time another school break neared, Button began to struggle again, jurors heard.
On December 15 last year, Button called 999 at 11.25am and told the operator she was about to “take an overdose”.
Although she was with her son at the time, she told the handler she was at home alone, jurors heard.
The 999 operator advised Button to wait with a friend as they “might not be able to get an ambulance to her for 10 hours”.
Lincoln’s dad returned home from work just before 3pm and tragically found his son dead.
Button was taken to hospital after trying to take her own life and was later arrested on suspicion of murder, jurors heard.
Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, said: “It appears that the challenges of caring for an autistic child had caused the defendant to become depressed and she chose to murder her child.”
Button denies murder but has previously admitted manslaughter.
The trial continues.
Button has denied murdering her son[/caption]
