After years of being falsely presented as seriously ill by his mother, Matthew Johnson was taken into foster care when her claims began to unravel, separating him from his father, sister and familiar home life. His mother, Lisa Hayden-Johnson, had claimed he was seriously ill and suffered from conditions including diabetes, cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis, leading to unnecessary medical treatment and public attention before she was eventually jailed. Matthew later described entering foster care as difficult and sudden, but said moving to Sheffield gave him the chance to make a fresh start, rebuild his life and leave the past behind.