This case is one of the most notable examples of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP), a form of abuse where a caregiver exaggerates or induces medical conditions in someone under their care to gain attention and sympathy.
She leveraged her son's supposed conditions to meet celebrities and royalty, including the Duchess of Cornwall and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The court heard that her actions were driven by a desire for attention and financial gain, often appearing on television and spending charity donations meant for her son's care.
[3][2] In January 2010, Lisa Hayden-Johnson was sentenced to three years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of child cruelty and perverting the course of justice.
Her son Matthew, whose identity has been protected in some sources, has reportedly been recovering from the years of unnecessary medical treatment and psychological manipulation he endured.