Editor’s note: This article contains descriptions of child abuse. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the Childhelp Hotline at (800) 422-4453.
A Northern California mother has been arrested in connection with the death of her 11-year-old son and well as the killing of multiple dogs inside their home, officials said.
Meagan Ann Dixon, 44, is charged with murder, child endangerment and multiple counts of cruelty to animals in connection to the slayings, Sutter County Superior Court records show.
During a Monday press conference shared online by the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Brandon Barnes said the child was found dead over the weekend inside a mobile home in Meridian, an unincorporated community about 60 miles northwest of Sacramento.
“I want to offer my condolences to the child’s loved ones and the community of Meridian,” Barnes told reporters. “It’s heartbreaking.”
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‘Experiencing a manic episode’
About 10 a.m. on Sunday, Barnes said, deputies responded to Lovey’s Landing RV Park, after the manager called authorities to report two people arguing, including a woman who witnesses described as being under the influence of drugs and “experiencing a manic episode.”
Responding deputies spoke to Dixon, the sheriff said, and local firefighters found her son dead inside the family’s mobile home.
“It appears the child had been deceased for several days,” Barnes told reporters.
A search warrant was obtained, and Barnes said evidence at the scene indicated the child had been smothered to death.
No other people were harmed, he said.
The child’s official cause and manner of death is pending an autopsy, the sheriff said.
The child lived at the home with his mother and stepfather, Barnes said, who had been out of town for several weeks.
The child’s biological father and stepfather are not suspected in the crimes, the sheriff said.
The woman had no major criminal history, Barnes said, and deputies had not previously responded to any calls for service at the home.
Child victim was homeschooled; 3 dogs found slain on property
The child was homeschooled and, based on accounts from neighbors, was high-functioning and autistic. He was often seen outside playing, but had not been spotted in several days, neighbors told deputies.
A welfare check on the child led to the argument between Dixon and a neighbor who went to check on the child.
During the investigation, officials also found three dogs dead on the property − one in the trailer and two in a vehicle registered to Dixon. A post mortem exam is slated to determine how the dogs died.
She remained incarcerated on $1 million bond at the Sutter County jail Wednesday.
Mother accused of killing 11-year-old son to appear in court
Police said the mother was cooperative with authorities, but did not say whether she spoke to detectives about the case.
Dixon is set to be arraigned on Jan. 27, online records show, and is represented by a public defender.
USA TODAY has reached out to the public defender’s office.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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