Father’s heartbreaking tribute to five-year-old son

The father of a five-year-old boy who was found dead at a house on New Year’s Eve has paid tribute to his ‘best friend’ and said ‘we’ll meet again’.  

Dylan Scanlon was found dead at the property in the Limeside area of Oldham at around 6.20pm on Friday after emergency services rushed to the address.

A woman in her 30s has been detained under the Mental Health Act, police have said.

Yesterday, Dylan’s heartbroken father, Gary Keenan, wrote on Facebook: ‘To my Dylan, I love you more than everything in this world.

The father of Dylan Scanlon has paid tribute to his son after his death on New Year’s Eve 

‘You were my best friend and I’m really going to miss you son.

‘Sweet dreams and we will meet again one day. Love you son

‘R.I.P Dylan, love daddy.’

Following the young boy’s death a neighbour described how Dylan’s mother ran into the street’s shouting ‘he can’t breathe’.  

The neighbour told The Sun Online: ‘The boy’s mum came out into the street and shouted: ‘He can’t breathe’.

‘A woman, who lives a few doors away, heard what was going on and went into the house.’

Police have launched an investigation and said the case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to ‘previous contact’.

Detective Superintendent Chris Packer, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: ‘Our thoughts are with the child’s loved ones at this heart-breaking time. Specialist officers will offer them support.

‘Our investigation is in the early stages and we’d ask anyone with information to contact us or Crimestoppers immediately.

‘Due to previous police contact, this incident has been referred to our Professional Standards Branch and will be referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

‘This sad news is bound to cause distress in the community but I would like to offer reassurance that we are doing everything we can to establish the circumstances.’ 

Dylan’s father described him as his ‘best friend’ and said ‘I love you more than everything in this world’

Emergency services rushed to an address in the Limeside area of Oldham at around 6.20pm on Friday. Pictured: Floral tributes left at the scene

In a statement issued yesterday, a GMP spokesperson said: ‘An investigation is underway following the death of a child in Oldham.

‘At around 6.20pm on Friday 31 December 2021, we were called by the ambulance service responding to an incident at a property on Elm Road in the Limeside area.

‘A child was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the death.

‘A woman in her 30s has been detained under the Mental Health Act.   

Floral tributes have now been left at the scene for the five-year-old.

One read: ‘RIP Dylan. Heartbreaking little angel.’

Another read: ‘It’s a cruel world. RIP little one.’

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 3656 quoting 2284 31/12/21. 

Alternatively, the independent charity – Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.