ESSEX — Emma Barnett, 36, was found guilty of murdering her 14-month-old son, Oakley Barnett, in Essex. A family court had ordered Oakley's removal from her care, and following the conviction, Mr Justice Derek Sweeting sentenced Barnett to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years.
On 8 November 2024, Barnett arranged to join a family court hearing remotely. Prior to the hearing, she drove to Epping Forest and collected medications that had been prescribed to her. Following the court order, police and social workers attempted to locate Barnett and her son. Law enforcement located her vehicle in Epping Forest and conducted a search using a helicopter and police dogs.
Barnett hid in a loft at her Debden, Essex residence with Oakley on 8 November 2024. During this time, she administered the antihistamine promethazine and the antidepressant mirtazapine to her son. She gave these medications to Oakley via baby bottles containing juice and milk. Police arrived at Barnett's address shortly before midnight on 8 November.
Officers heard an infant crying in the loft. Barnett attempted to take her own life before police entered. At 12:16 a.m. on 9 November 2024, Barnett told a responding officer, "I killed him." Police then forced entry into the loft and found Oakley unresponsive. Oakley died in a hospital on 31 December 2024. Barnett had denied the charge of murder.
During sentencing, Mr Justice Derek Sweeting stated, "This was the killing of a very young and vulnerable child wholly dependent on you brought about by your deliberate actions." Sweeting said, "I consider it at least possible it wasn’t until 8 November you came to the view that if you could not have Oakley, no one else could have him." He noted that Barnett has a recognized mental health disorder. Five of Barnett's older children had previously been removed from her care. Defense barrister Jonathan Higgs KC said, "The five children were removed as she was unable to look after them herself."