Autistic schoolboy found dead three hours after Essex mum called ambulance with overdose warning

Lincoln Button was found at a property in South Ockendon, Essex, on Sunday December 15 and died at the scene. He was described as a "cheeky, smiley, happy boy". Credit: Essex Police handout.
Lincoln Button was found dead at home in South Ockendon in December 2024. Credit: Family photo

The father of an autistic schoolboy - who was allegedly murdered by his mother - found him dead at home more than three hours after his wife called an ambulance, telling call handlers she was about to take an overdose.

Five-year-old Lincoln Button was found dead at the family's home in Essex by his dad, Nicky, when he returned home from work on 15 December last year. His mum, Claire Button, had tried to take her own life.

Jurors in the trial of 35-year-old Button, who denies murder, were told by prosecutor Andrew Jackson that the defendant had smothered her son and placed a sign next to his body which said: "DNR - do not resuscitate".

Another note left in the property on Windstar Drive in South Ockendon, allegedly written by the mother, said: "He [Lincoln] does not fit in the world and where he doesn't fit I don't either."

Basildon Crown Court was told that at 11.25am on 15 December, the defendant had made a call to emergency services where she asked for an ambulance and told the call handler that “she was about to take an overdose”.

Button, who was at home with her son, was asked if she was with anyone and she replied that it was just her alone.

The 999 handler advised Ms Button to wait with a friend as they “might not be able to get an ambulance to her for 10 hours”.

Mr Jackson said Lincoln's dad returned home from work just before 3pm that day and found both the little boy and his mother. Paramedics were called but Lincoln was pronounced dead 3.55pm.

A police officer stands guard at Windstar Drive in South Ockendon, Essex
Police attend Windstar Drive in South Ockendon, Essex. Credit: Essex Police

Button was taken to hospital and was later arrested by police officers on suspicion of murder.

The court heard that Lincoln, who had learning difficulties, was attending a mainstream school at the time of his death.

He was a physically healthy boy who had been diagnosed with autism and was said to "love going to school".

“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,” said Mr Jackson, who told the jury that what happened had been "a deliberate and unlawful act plainly done with the intention of killing".

Jurors were told that Lincoln lived at home with his mum and dad. The defendant’s mum lived nearby and was “part of a large network of family support” and had even qualified as a carer so that she could help look after Lincoln.

During the school summer holidays in 2024, Button was taken by her mother to a mental health unit at Basildon Hospital where she was diagnosed with depression and given medication.

The medication “appeared to be having a positive effect”, the court heard, and by the time Lincoln returned to school things had improved.

But each time another school break neared, Button began to struggle again, Mr Jackson said.

Button denies murder but has previously admitted manslaughter. The trial continues.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know