A mother who was discovered clutching her son in a loft has been found guilty of murder after feeding him a fatal mixture of milk and prescription medication before he could be taken into care. Emma Barnett, 36, hid in her loft following a family court hearing on November 8, 2024, which determined that her 14-month-old son Oakley should be removed from her care.
Background of the Case
Barnett was initially reported missing, with police believing she had gone to Epping Forest. However, officers suspected she had parked her car at the forest and walked back. They later forced entry into her home in Debden, Essex, and found her clutching Oakley in the loft. The court heard that Barnett told police she wanted them to “think I was in the forest so I could stay indoors with Oakley”.
Details of the Incident
The Crown Prosecution Service stated that evidence suggested Barnett had prepared a bottle containing milk and medication, which she then gave to Oakley. Upon arrival at her home, officers managed to speak to Barnett by phone through the hatch. She initially told them Oakley was “sleeping” before stating “I have killed him,” the CPS said.
Summing up evidence earlier this week, the judge said Barnett “hid in the loft with Oakley” and “later when police attended she initially refused to allow police to see Oakley”. Social workers had been trying to find Barnett to safeguard Oakley. Oakley was taken to hospital but died on New Year's Eve, 2024, despite medical efforts.
Court Proceedings
The court heard that Barnett had “intentionally administered to him medication prescribed to her intending to kill him and this was the planned outcome”. She denied murder during an 18-day trial at Cambridge Crown Court. Summing up the defendant's case, the judge said her argument was that “she didn’t intentionally administer medication or intend serious harm or to kill him”. Barnett claimed her intention was to take her own life but only at the point Oakley would be removed by police, and that hiding in the loft “was to extend the time she had left with Oakley”.
Evidence Presented
Investigators found two baby bottles in the loft with liquids testing positive for the antihistamine promethazine, which can induce sedation, and the antidepressant mirtazapine. The judge noted an expert's evidence that “taken together their effects may be greater than either alone” and could cause “respiratory compromise”.
Statements from Officials
Nicola Pope, senior Crown prosecutor, said: “Emma Barnett deliberately gave her baby son a dangerous mixture containing medication which proved fatal. Our prosecution case relied on a detailed and careful analysis of the evidence from the police investigation, including expert medical evidence, to establish how Oakley came to die. I hope that today’s outcome provides some measure of peace to Oakley’s family and loved ones during this deeply upsetting time.”
Detective Inspector James Holmes of Essex Police said: “This was an extremely upsetting and difficult investigation for everybody involved. Our thoughts remain with Oakley and everyone who loved him.”
Verdict and Sentencing
Barnett was found guilty of murder after jurors spent six hours deliberating. She will be sentenced on June 5.
