Mother Jailed for Life for Murdering Autistic Son as Judge Highlights Struggles with Mental Health

A court has heard that Claire Button, 36, smothered her five-year-old son Lincoln Button, who had autism, after struggling to cope with his challenging behavior and her own mental health issues. The mother-of-one had admitted to the lesser charge of manslaughter but was found guilty of murder by a jury. In a sentencing hearing, Judge Samantha Leigh highlighted the devastating impact on the family, particularly Button's husband, Nicky, who lost his son and wife. The judge also acknowledged the struggles Button faced with her mental health, citing a lack of adequate support and a 10-hour wait for an ambulance on the day of the incident.

Key Takeaways:

• Claire Button was found guilty of murdering her five-year-old autistic son Lincoln Button and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of nine years.
• The mother had struggled with her mental health and had sought help on several occasions, including calling an ambulance on the day of the incident, but was told there was a 10-hour wait.
• Judge Samantha Leigh described the case as "one of the hardest I've heard in almost 30 years" and highlighted the devastating impact on the family, particularly husband Nicky, who has lost his son and wife.
• Button had a history of seeking help for her mental health, including attending hospital last August, but was given medication and sent away, leading the judge to describe the care she received as "totally inadequate".
• The court heard that Button's son Lincoln had autism and was non-verbal, with outbursts and meltdowns, and that she had made a note saying "he does not fit in the world and where he doesn't fit I don't either".
• The judge also acknowledged that Button believed she was acting out of mercy when she killed her son and had a "belief, albeit an irrational one, that she was acting out of mercy".

Statistics:

• The minimum term of nine years that Claire Button must serve before she can be considered for release.
• The 10-hour wait that Claire Button was told she would have to wait for an ambulance on the day of the incident.
• 36: the age of Claire Button.
• 5: the age of Lincoln Button.
• 30: the number of years the judge described as the time since they had heard a case like this.

Sources:

• The 17th of October, 2022 court hearing at Basildon Crown Court.
• Essex Police.
• The testimony of Judge Samantha Leigh and Claire Button.
• The reporting by local news outlets.