Mum who killed toddler after court order is jailed

A mother who fatally poisoned her 14-month-old child after a judge ruled he should be put into care has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Emma Barnett, 38, confessed to police "I killed him" after they found her barricaded in her loft with son Oakley in Loughton, Essex.

Police had been searching for her after a family court hearing that day, in November 2024, and after concerns for their welfare were raised.

Barnett was jailed for a minimum of 22 years at Cambridge Crown Court, where she had been found guilty of murder by jurors last week.

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

Five of her other children had already been removed from her care.

Chris Paxton KC, prosecuting, said Barnett spent weeks planning to murder Oakley after it became clear that he too would be taken away.

He described her "stockpiling" over-the-counter and prescription drugs ahead of the family court hearing on 8 November.

After attending the family court hearing via an online link, Barnett was reported missing and tricked authorities into thinking she was at Epping Forest.

Police forced their way into her house in Chester Road at about 20:00 GMT but did not search the loft, where she was hiding with Oakley.

They returned at about 23:00 and discovered them, prompting a sobbing Barnett to confess "I killed him".

Barnett's trial heard she had poisoned Oakley while officers searched for them. He died in hospital weeks later on New Year's Eve.

During her trial, Barnett told the jury she was "in crisis" and was having "dark thoughts" at the time of Oakley's death, but denied killing him to "keep control of him".

Jonathan Higgs KC, mitigating, said she was "retreating into a dark hole" and "carried out a desperate act".

"It's a terrible tragedy," he added.

Sentencing Barnett, the judge, Mr Justice Derek Sweeting, said: "Oakley was exceptionally vulnerable.

"He was a baby of 14 months, wholly dependent on you for his care and protection."

In a statement read to the court, Oakley's father, Jake Rose, said: "I am heartbroken and devastated. I feel robbed of precious time I could've had with my son.

"My life and heart is now always going to be filled with a massive void."

Oakley was murdered at a time when a safety plan devised by social workers was in place to protect him.

Essex County Council said a review of his care was ongoing and the results would be published in due course.

A spokesman for Essex Police has said new advice has been given to officers regarding the search of properties, which should include looking in lofts.

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

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