Another competency check ordered for Sutter County mom suspected of smothering son

A third competency evaluation has been ordered for a Northern California woman suspected of smothering her son to death earlier this year in what neighbors described at the time as a manic or drug-induced episode.

Authorities found Meagan Ann Dixon’s son, who was 11, dead inside of Dixon’s trailer at Lovey’s Landing RV Park near Meridian in early January after neighbors made a report. He appeared to have been dead for several days, authorities said at the time.

The first evaluation of Dixon, 44, found her unable to aid in her own defense and stand trial, said Jeff Greeson, chief deputy district attorney for Sutter County.

Prosecutors then asked for a second evaluation, Greeson said, in which a mental health professional deemed Dixon fit to proceed with the charges against her: homicide, child endangerment and three counts of cruelty to animals.

Now a third opinion has been sought to decide whether Dixon may continue in court, or whether a judge may place her in a state hospital to receive treatment toward eventually facing the charges against her.

“Their role would be limited to restoring her to competency so she could come back and face trial,” Greeson said.

Findings from Dixon’s latest evaluation are expected to be reviewed Aug. 8 at her next court hearing.

She remains held at the Sutter County Jail.

What happened?

Fire personnel first responded to Lovey’s Landing, a small community along the Sacramento River at the western edge of Sutter County, the morning of Jan. 5, and found the body of her 11-year-old son.

“There was a pillow within close proximity to the child,” Sutter County Sheriff Brandon Barnes told reporters in January. “I can’t go into a lot more detail as to why we think that particular item was used but we do have evidence to suggest that a pillow was used.”

Investigators also found three dead dogs on the premises of the trailer, where Dixon had lived for more than three years with her son and his stepfather, who was out of town for several weeks when the boy was found and was not suspected to be involved in his death.

Neighbors raised suspicions after several days of not seeing the boy, who would typically play outside with other kids in the trailer park. At least one neighbor had been arguing with Dixon related to her son’s whereabouts the morning she was arrested, prompting the trailer park manager to report the incident, authorities said at the time.

Neighbors told investigators that Dixon appeared to have had a drug-induced or manic episode at the time, authorities have said, adding that Dixon was cooperative and appeared not to have had a history of mental health issues.

Dixon may have missed at least one court appearance, Greeson said, but the circumstances of that were unclear and may have been legitimate. Dixon’s public defender did not respond to a message left with his office requesting comment.