Lisa Hayden-Johnson, 52, who was dubbed Britain's 'most evil mother' for fabricating her young son Matthew's illnesses, has spoken for the first time since her release from prison. In a new Channel 4 documentary titled 'Love You To Death,' Hayden-Johnson claims her only offense was "putting my son first."
Hayden-Johnson forced her son, Matthew, into a wheelchair, administered unnecessary drugs, and connected him to an oxygen tank to gain sympathy, publicity, and financial rewards. She met celebrities such as Queen Camilla, Sir Tony Blair, and Simon Cowell as part of her deception. The scheme unraveled when health workers and school staff alerted the police, leading to her conviction and a sentence of over three years in 2010.
During the years-long abuse, Hayden-Johnson subjected Matthew to 325 medical encounters, including inserting a feeding tube under general anesthesia. She also claimed Matthew suffered from various conditions, including diabetes, cerebral palsy, and cystic fibrosis. To support her claims, she would increase his blood sugar levels for tests and made him wear sunglasses, even though he could run and play with friends. Matthew was often presented in a wheelchair, and an oxygen tank was transported on a Thomas the Tank Engine trolley.
Hayden-Johnson received benefits totaling approximately £130,000, along with free tickets to shows like ITV's The X Factor, cash donations, and free cruises. Matthew, who was six when his mother was arrested, eventually moved with his sister Laura to live with their father, who had initially been unaware of the deception. Matthew is now 25 and works in finance, while Laura, 27, who has been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the ordeal, works in childcare.
Police discovered holiday videos showing Matthew running on a cruise ship. When authorities began their inquiry, Hayden-Johnson falsely reported being raped, a confession that led to further charges of perverting the course of justice. At her sentencing in 2010, Judge Stephen Wildblood described her conduct as "cruel, manipulative, perverse, disordered and pitiful." Detective Constable Mark Uren called her a "cruel, manipulative, evil mother who constantly lied."
Hayden-Johnson's case is an example of Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA), formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a form of child abuse where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in a child. The documentary also touches upon another case involving Megan Bhari, whose mother allegedly faked a brain tumor to solicit donations for a charity.