A woman has admitted killing her five-year-old son after he was “found dead at home.
Claire Button, 35, was charged with murder after her son Lincoln died in December last year. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but denied murder. Emergency services raced to the home in Windstar Drive, South Ockendon, on December 15. Police officers worked alongside paramedics to try and save the youngster’s life after they received reports of serious concern for the welfare of a child and woman. Button, was briefly taken to hospital before she was interviewed by police.
She was charged with murder and appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Wednesday, April 9. Button spoke only to confirm her name, enter her please before thanking Judge Samantha Leigh at the end of the brief hearing.
She denied murdering little Lincoln but admitted unlawfully killing him by manslaughter. A trial date has been penned in for September 29.
Following Lincoln’s death, his family paid tribute to him. They said: “Link’ was a cherished, loved, sweet, beautiful young soul was adored by all and will be sorely missed every day.”
Mirror affiliate EssexLive reported Bonnygate Primary School in South Ockendon, where Lincoln had been a Year One pupil, described him as a cheeky, smiley, happy boy who was loved by the school community.
They added: “His love for school, laughter and cuddles will be remembered and missed dearly.” Following Lincoln’s death in December, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Blakesley, who led the investigation said: “This continues to prove to be an immensely complex investigation into the death of a young child.
“My thoughts and the thoughts of all the investigative team remain with the family of Lincoln Button as we continue to support them through this awful time. It has taken a huge amount of work and dedication from the investigative team to reach this stage in our investigation and I would continue to call upon the public to refrain from speculating about the circumstances around this case.
“Any case as harrowing as this will understandably attract attention. But as we move to the point of charge, the time has come to respect the judicial process and to continue allowing Lincoln’s family privacy and the space to grieve.”
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