Mother guilty of killing toddler son after feeding him drugs before he could be taken into care

A mother has been found guilty of murdering her toddler son after he was fed a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs before being taken into care.

Emma Barnett, of Debden, Essex, hid in her attic following a family court hearing on November 8, 2024, which ruled that her 14-month-old son Oakley should be removed from the home.

Summing up to jurors at Cambridge Crown Court, Mr Justice Derek Sweeting said the 36-year-old parked his car in Epping Forest and then walked home.

Essex Police said Barnett and Oakley were initially reported missing, with Barnett making allegations that he had taken his son to Epping Forest, but they later broke into his home and found them in the attic.

The judge said Barnett later said in an interview that he “wanted the police to think I was in the woods so he could stay inside with Oakley.”

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said evidence presented in court showed Barnett prepared a bottle containing a mixture of milk and medicine and gave it to Oakley, causing her death.

The CPS said Barnett was found guilty of murder following his trial. Officers had spoken to Barnett by phone and through the attic hatch.

CPS said he initially told them Oakley was asleep before admitting “I killed him”.

Summarizing evidence in the case to jurors earlier this week, the judge said Barnett “hid in the attic with Oakley” and “initially refused to allow police to see Oakley when police later attended.”

He said social workers attempted to locate Barnett and protect Oakley on Nov. 8, 2024, and that “as a result of the court hearing, the intent was to remove Oakley.”

He said Barnett “tried to hang himself while police were present and overdosed on paracetamol.”

The judge said Oakley was hospitalized and died on New Year’s Eve 2024.

He said the prosecution said Barnett “intentionally gave him (Oakley) the drugs prescribed for him with the intention of killing him, and that was the intended outcome.”

Judge Sweeting said the defendant’s case was that Oakley’s death was accidental.

Summarizing the defendant’s case to the jurors, the judge continued that his defense was that “he did not knowingly administer drugs and did not intend to cause serious harm or kill.”

Summing up Barnett’s defense case, the judge said: “His intention was to take his own life but only at the point where Oakley could be taken away from him by the police.”

The judge said Barnett’s hiding in the attic “was to prolong the time he had left with Oakley.”

He said investigators found two baby bottles in the attic containing liquids that tested positive for the antihistamine promethazine, which can induce sedation, and the antidepressant mirtazapine.

The judge said the expert’s testimony “taken together, their effects could be greater than either of them” and could lead to “respiratory disorders”.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Nicola Pope said: “Emma Barnett deliberately gave her young son a dangerous mixture of drugs that proved fatal.

“Our prosecution case was based on a detailed and careful analysis of evidence from the police investigation, including specialist medical evidence, to establish how Oakley died.

“I hope today’s outcome provides some peace of mind for Oakley’s family and loved ones at this deeply saddening time.”

Detective Inspector James Holmes, of Essex Police, said: “This was an extremely distressing and difficult investigation for everyone involved.

“Our thoughts are with Oakley and everyone who loved him.”

Barnett is expected to be sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on June 5.