Boy, 10, allegedly killed by mother was found with parts of sponge in his throat, court hears
A 10-year-old boy allegedly killed by his mother had parts of a sponge in his throat and toys next to him when he was found dead in a bedroom, a court has heard.
Olga Freeman is charged with murdering Dylan Freeman in Acton, west London.
The boy, who is the son of a celebrity photographer, died from restriction of his airways, the Old Bailey was told.
Freeman, a 40-year-old Russian national, spoke only to confirm her name and date of birth when she appeared in the dock in central London on Wednesday.
Dylan was found in the master bedroom of a house lying on his back covered by a duvet, and toys had been placed beside him, the court heard.
The Old Bailey was told that the youngster was disabled and required 24-hour care.
Prosecutor Joel Smith said a post-mortem examination gave the cause of his death as restriction of the airways.
Dylan's body was discovered at a property in Cumberland Park in Acton on Sunday.
His father, Dean Freeman, a celebrity photographer whose work includes campaigns with Bollywood star Deepika Padukone and Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper, was in Spain when he heard about Dylan's death.
In a statement on Monday, Mr Freeman, whose ex-wife is Olga Freeman, described his son as a "beautiful, bright, inquisitive and artistic child who loved to travel, visit art galleries and swim".
"We travelled extensively over the years together spending such memorable time in places including Brazil, France and Spain."
"I can't begin to comprehend his loss."
Olga Freeman was remanded in custody until her next court appearance on 4 November.
