The child resided at the residence with his mother and stepfather, as confirmed by Sheriff Barnes, who had been absent from the area for an extended period of time. Notably, there is no suspicion towards the child’s biological father and stepfather regarding the criminal activities, stated the sheriff. Sheriff Barnes further mentioned that the woman had a clean criminal record with no major offenses, and law enforcement had not received any prior complaints or calls for assistance from the residence.
The child, who was the victim in this tragic incident, was being homeschooled. Additionally, three dogs were found deceased on the property. According to accounts provided by neighbors, the child, who was described as high-functioning and autistic, would frequently be observed playing outside. However, neighbors expressed concerns as they had not seen the child outdoors for several days leading up to the incident. Subsequently, a welfare check was conducted on the child, resulting in a confrontation between Dixon and a concerned neighbor who had visited to inquire about the child’s well-being.
During the investigative process, authorities discovered the lifeless bodies of three dogs on the premises – one inside a trailer and the other two within a vehicle registered to Dixon. A comprehensive post-mortem examination is scheduled to ascertain the cause of death for the dogs. As of Wednesday, Dixon remains in custody at the Sutter County jail, with her bail set at $1 million.
The mother, who stands accused of the tragic event involving the 11-year-old child, is scheduled to make a court appearance. Law enforcement officials have noted that the mother, identified as Dixon, has been cooperative in their inquiries, although there has been no indication as to whether she has engaged in discussions with detectives regarding the case. Records indicate that Dixon is slated for arraignment on January 27 and is being represented by a public defender. USA TODAY has reached out to the public defender’s office for any potential comments or statements.
For further updates on this developing story, readers are encouraged to contact Natalie Neysa Alund, a senior reporter for USA TODAY, via email at nalund@usatoday.com or follow her on Twitter @nataliealund. This article was originally published by USA TODAY and focuses on the charges brought against a California mother in connection with the suffocation of her 11-year-old child, alongside the distressing discovery of three deceased dogs on the property.
