A mum has appeared in court after being charged with the murder of her severely disabled eight-year-old son. Louise Cameron, 40, was arrested after initially being taken to hospital following the alarm being raised that her son Rhys was unconscious and unresponsive. Neighbours told of the harrowing sight of the little boy’s body being carried out of the end terraced property in Billingham, County Durham, at 10am on Monday.
The house was occupied by Ms Cameron and her three children; Rhys, a daughter aged 13 and a son aged 17. At the time of the incident the teenage girl was said to have also been at home. Having been taken into custody for questioning Cameron was charged by Cleveland Police with her son’s murder on Thursday.
She is accused of killing Rhys Anthony Cameron between Saturday, September 13, and Monday, September 15.
The 40-year-old, with long black hair and wearing a grey t-shirt, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court where she spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth to the during a short hearing.
The Middlesbrough court heard that the case can only be heard at the crown court and no further details of the case were outlined by prosecutor Marcus Blakelock or defence solicitor Tyler Plunkett.
The chair of the magistrates’ bench told Cameron: “You have heard this case cannot be heard and bail cannot be decided at this court.”
She was remanded into custody to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Friday.
Yesterday neighbours near the home in Marsh House Avenue in the town spoke of their shock at the child’s death.
One said: “It is just devastating that that sweet little boy has lost his life.
“The emergency services started arriving at 10am on Monday and they were clearly investigating something serious by the number of police officers who arrived.
“Rhys was severely autistic and non verbal, so he had really demanding needs but she absolutely doted on him. It makes this an even bigger shock.”
Neighbours and friends began arriving to lay flowers outside the house, which was protected by a police cordon.
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “On Monday 15th September at 10am, officers received a call from the North East Ambulance Service regarding the sad passing of an eight-year-old child.
“The child’s death is currently being treated as unexplained and detectives have launched an investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the child during this very difficult time.”
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said: “We were called to a private address in the Marsh House Avenue area of Billingham shortly after 10am on Monday, September 15. We dispatched two double crewed ambulances, a clinical team leader and a duty officer to the scene.”