A mother has been found guilty of murdering her toddler son after feeding him a fatal cocktail of prescription medications before he could be taken into care. Emma Barnett, 36, of Debden, Essex, hid in her loft following a family court hearing on November 8, 2024, which had determined that her 14-month-old son Oakley should be removed from her care.
The Court Proceedings
Judge Mr Justice Derek Sweeting, summing up to jurors at Cambridge Crown Court, explained that Barnett had parked her car at Epping Forest and then walked back home. Essex Police reported that Barnett and Oakley were initially missing, with suggestions that she had taken her son to Epping Forest. However, officers later forced entry into her home and discovered them in the loft.
The judge noted that Barnett later stated in an interview that she “wanted the police to think I was in the forest so I could stay indoors with Oakley.” The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said evidence showed Barnett prepared a bottle containing a mixture of milk and medication, which she gave to Oakley, causing his death.
Police Involvement
Officers spoke to Barnett by phone and through the loft hatch. She initially told them Oakley was sleeping, before stating, “I have killed him,” according to the CPS. Summing up the evidence, 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 locate Barnett and safeguard Oakley on November 8, 2024, and “the intention was to remove Oakley as that was the result of the court hearing.” The judge added that Barnett “tried to hang herself with police present and had taken an overdose of paracetamol.” Oakley was taken to hospital and died on New Year’s Eve 2024.
Prosecution and Defence Cases
The prosecution argued that Barnett “intentionally administered to him (Oakley) medication prescribed to her intending to kill him and this was the planned outcome.” In contrast, the defence claimed Oakley’s death was accidental. The judge summarized the defendant’s case, stating she “didn’t intentionally administer medication or intend serious harm or to kill him.”
Barnett said her intention was to take her own life “only at the point Oakley would be removed from her by police.” She explained that hiding in the loft “was to extend the time she had left with Oakley.” Investigators found two baby bottles in the loft with liquids testing positive for the antihistamine promethazine, which can induce sedation, and the antidepressant mirtazapine. An expert’s evidence indicated that “taken together their effects may be greater than either alone” and could cause “respiratory compromise.”
Statements from Authorities
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 added: “This was an extremely upsetting and difficult investigation for everybody involved. Our thoughts remain with Oakley and everyone who loved him.”
Sentencing
Barnett is due to be sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on June 5.
