A mother fed her 14-month-old son a cocktail of prescription drugs to kill him before he could be taken from her and placed in care.
Emma Barnett, of Debden, Essexhid in the attic after a family court hearing on November 8, 2024, which had ruled that her son Oakley should be removed.
The 36-year-old and her toddler were initially reported missing and believed to have gone to Epping Forest, but officers later forced entry to Barnett’s home and found them in the attic.
Cambridge The Crown Court heard she initially refused to let them see Oakley, saying he was sleeping, but later admitted: “I’ve killed him.”
Earlier in the day, social workers had tried to find Barnett and protect Oakley after a court hearing, with jurors told the ‘purpose was to get Oakley off’.
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Summarizing the evidence, Judge Justice Sweeting said Barnett had parked her car in Epping Forest and then returned home.
He said Barnett later claimed in interview that she “wanted the police to think I was in the woods so I could stay home with Oakley.”
Barnett ‘hid in the attic with Oakley’ and ‘later when the police attended, she initially refused to let the police see Oakley’.
of Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said evidence presented in court showed that Barnett had prepared a bottle containing a mixture of milk and medicine, which she gave to Oakley, causing his death.
The senior judge told jurors it was the defendant’s case that Oakley’s death was accidental.
Summing up the defendant’s case to jurors, the judge continued that her case was that “she did not intentionally administer the medication or intend to seriously injure or kill him.”
“Her intention was to take her own life, but only when Oakley was to be removed from her by the police,” the judge said, summing up Barnett’s defense case.
Barnett said hiding in the attic ‘was to prolong the time he had left with Oakley,’ the judge said.
He said investigators found two baby bottles in the attic with liquids that tested positive for an antihistamine, which can cause sedation, and an antidepressant.
The judge said an expert’s evidence was that ‘taken together their effects could be greater than either of them’ and they could cause ‘respiratory compromise’.
Nicola Pope, senior Crown prosecutor, said: ‘Emma Barnett deliberately gave her son a dangerous mixture containing medication which proved fatal.
“Our prosecution case relied on a detailed and careful analysis of evidence from the police investigation, including expert medical evidence, to establish how Oakley died.
“I hope today’s outcome provides some peace to Oakley’s family and loved ones during this deeply troubling time.”
Detective Inspector James Holmes of Essex Police said: “This has been an extremely distressing and difficult investigation for all involved.
“Our thoughts remain with Oakley and all who loved him.”
Barnett will be sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on June 5.
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