Acton Woman Convicted of Killing Her Son

Olga Freeman told friends she was struggling to cope due to his disabilities

Olga Freeman with her son Dylan. Picture: Facebook

A 40-year-old woman from Acton has been convicted of the killing of her disabled son at the Old Bailey this Monday (25 January).

Olga Freeman of Cumberland Park pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 10-year-old Dylan Freeman by reason of diminished responsibility.

Dylan was profoundly disabled and suffered from autism and Cohen syndrome which meant that he needed to use a wheelchair. Mrs Freeman was his primary carer and had been on antidepressants.

She had sent a message to a close friend at around 10pm on the night before Dylan was found stating: "I am done. Where are u?"

The friend arrived at around 12.45am on Sunday, 16 August 2020 and found that Mrs Freeman had booked two seats on a flight from London Luton Airport to Tel Aviv. She said she had been receiving messages in her head. The friend was not allowed to go into Dylan's room. They both went to Acton Police Station and Mrs Freeman told the officer on duty that she had had given Dylan some pills and pushed a sponge into his mouth and that he was dead.

When the police gained access to the property at 2.16am they found Dylan unresponsive and he was pronounced dead at the scene on the arrival of paramedics from London Ambulance service. They had found Dylan’s body with his toys laid around him. There was no indication that he had received any other injuries or that he had been placed under restraint.

Olga Freeman

An earlier inquest heard evidence that Mrs Freeman, who is a Russian national, had been telling friends that she had been struggling to care for Dylan for the last six months. She had also suffered with mental ill health and with challenges in her personal life.

The court heard that Dylan suffered from extensive mental and physical health issues which impacted his independence and his ability to communicate.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding, lead investigator, said, "This has been an incredibly sad incident to investigate. Foremost our thoughts are with Dylan and his family, who continue to feel his untimely loss and will do so for a long time to come.

"I would like to thank my team of detectives, who have worked so diligently and professionally during this harrowing case. I would also like to acknowledge the selfless actions of my response colleagues who attended the scene on that night and tried in vain to save Dylan's life."

A date for sentencing has not yet been set.

January 25, 2021