A CELEBRITY photographer's autistic son was given a sleeping drug before a sponge was put in his mouth and tied in with a bra, it was alleged at an inquest today.
Dylan Freeman, who was just 10, was discovered dead at his family's home in Acton, West London on Sunday, August 16.
The boy's mother, Russian national Olga Freeman, 40, has been charged with murder following the discovery of Dylan's body.
She is currently remanded into custody ahead of her next appearance at the Old Bailey.
This morning, an inquest into Dylan's death was opened at West London Coroner's Court.
It was heard that Freeman, who had recently been prescribed antidepressants, had allegedly administered her son with a sleeping drug.
She then placed a sponge inside his mouth and tied it in place before calling her friend to tell her what she had done, it was said during the court hearing.
Mrs Freeman, the boy's sole carer and the former wife of celebrity photographer Dean Freeman, then visited Acton Police Station, where she was arrested, it is alleged.
Senior Coroner Chinyere Inyama said: "Dylan had many additional needs and suffered from autism and Cohen syndrome, partial sight, speech language and mobility issues.
"The mother called a friend in the early hours of morning and stated to the friend that she had killed her son."
Mr Inyama added that the mother administered a sleeping aid and then "placed a sponge in his mouth and held it in place by tying it with a bra".
After Mrs Freeman turned herself in, officers rushed to the address but found the boy lifeless, the inquest heard.
One of Dylan's teachers identified his body at Great Ormond Street Hospital in central London on Thursday, August 20, the hearing was told.
The coroner confirmed he was satisfied with the provisional cause of death as "upper airway obstruction by a foreign body."
He added: "There is no evidence of any other injuries as a result of assault or restraint."
The inquest was adjourned until March 5 next year while criminal proceedings continue.
A spokesman for the boy's father said he was in Spain at the time of his son's death.
Paying tribute to his son, Mr Freeman said: "Dylan was 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."
Mr Freeman said he has been "touched" by the messages of support he's received.
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