A woman has been convicted of the homicide of her young child after administering a lethal combination of prescription drugs before authorities could intervene. Emma Barnett, residing in Debden, Essex, went into hiding in her attic following a court ruling on November 8, 2024, that decided her 14-month-old son Oakley should be taken into custody.

During the trial at Cambridge Crown Court, Judge Mr. Justice Derek Sweeting informed the jury that the 36-year-old parked her vehicle in Epping Forest and then returned home on foot. Essex Police reported that Barnett and Oakley were initially reported missing, with suspicions that Barnett had fled with her son to Epping Forest, until they discovered them in the loft after entering her residence.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), evidence presented in court revealed that Barnett concocted a bottle of milk mixed with medication, which she fed to Oakley, resulting in his demise. The CPS confirmed Barnett’s conviction for murder post-trial.

Barnett communicated with officers over the phone and through the attic hatch, initially claiming Oakley was asleep but eventually confessing, “I have killed him.” The judge detailed that social workers had been attempting to locate Barnett to secure Oakley’s safety on the day of the incident, as per the court’s decision to remove the child from her care.

The prosecution argued that Barnett deliberately administered prescription drugs to Oakley with the intent to end his life, while Barnett contended that Oakley’s death was accidental. Investigative findings in the loft included two baby bottles containing substances testing positive for sedative antihistamine promethazine and antidepressant mirtazapine.

Detective Inspector James Holmes of Essex Police expressed empathy for the tragic situation, stating, “Our thoughts are with Oakley and all those who cared for him.” Barnett is scheduled for sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court on June 5.