Mother guilty of killing toddler after care case

A mother has been found guilty of murdering her 14-month-old son by feeding him a "deadly cocktail" of drugs before he could be taken into care.

Emma Barnett, 36, of Loughton, Essex, was discovered hiding in her loft with her son Oakley after attending a family court hearing on 8 November 2024 that had determined he should be removed from her.

He had been fatally poisoned and was taken to hospital, where he died weeks later, Cambridge Crown Court heard.

Barnett, of Chester Road, had denied murder. She will be sentenced at the same court on 5 June.

Essex Police referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over its missing persons search for Oakley and Barnett.

The IOPC said it had "identified potential learning" for the force.

Essex Police said it had implemented its recommendations.

Prosecutors said Barnett had also intended to kill herself and die with her son.

After attending the family court hearing, she was reported missing, with suggestions she had taken Oakley to Epping Forest.

Judge Mr Justice Derek Sweeting told the jury she later said in interview that she "wanted the police to think I was in the forest so I could stay indoors with Oakley".

• If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, help and support is available at BBC Action Line

Police forced their way into Barnett's home at about 20:00 GMT but did not search the loft, where she was hiding with her son.

At about 23:00, they returned and discovered them.

The jury heard she initially told the officers he was sleeping, before saying: "I have killed him."

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had provided evidence in court to show Barnett had prepared a bottle containing a mixture of milk and prescription medication, which she gave to him, causing his death.

Oakley was "cold and lifeless" when officers found him, said Christopher Paxton KC, who led the prosecution team.

Jurors were told he remained in a coma and "unresponsive" until 31 December and died after his life-support was turned off.

The judge said Barnett had tried to hang herself with police present and had taken an overdose of paracetamol.

"Her intention was to take her own life but only at the point Oakley would be removed from her by police," the judge said, summing up Barnett's defence case.

Nicola Pope, senior Crown prosecutor, said: "This was an extremely tragic case, which had a profound impact on everyone involved.

"I hope that today's outcome provides some measure of peace to Oakley's family and loved ones during this deeply upsetting time."

An IOPC spokesperson said it had received a mandatory referral from Essex Police into the handling of its missing persons search for the pair.

"All officers involved were treated as witnesses throughout our investigation which concluded in July 2025," they said.

"We found there was no indication any officer had committed a criminal offence or behaved in a manner justifying the bringing of disciplinary proceedings.

"However, as a result of our investigation, we have identified potential learning for Essex Police in relation to house searches in missing person investigations and we are consulting with the force to progress this."

Det Insp 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."

The force said it had acted upon the IOPC's recommendations, which included updated instructions and training on searches and a clear focus on lofts, cellars and outbuildings.

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.