An immediate investigation will examine how a 14-month-old infant under the supervision of social workers was given a lethal combination of drugs by his mother before he could be placed in protective custody.
Emma Barnett, aged 36, fatally poisoned her son, Oakley, in November 2024, following a court ruling that he should be removed from her care. Barnett, a resident of Loughton, Essex, was convicted of murder at Cambridge Crown Court recently and is awaiting sentencing on Friday.
Essex County Council announced that an ongoing inquiry, conducted by the Essex Safeguarding Children Board, will be released in the near future. Prior to the court’s decision on November 8, 2024, social services had already removed Barnett’s other five children from her custody. She did not attend the hearing in Chelmsford, Essex, opting to watch part of it online instead. Tragically, she took her son’s life shortly after the court order.
During Barnett’s trial for murder, it was revealed that Oakley had been subjected to a child protection order shortly after his birth in 2023 due to concerns of neglect. Barnett disclosed to one of her social workers in May 2024 that she struggled to bond with or love Oakley and expressed fears about her ability to care for him.
A spokesperson for Essex County Council expressed condolences to Oakley’s family during this challenging period. The Essex Safeguarding Children Board is conducting a review of child safeguarding practices related to this case.
Barnett was discovered hiding in her home’s loft with Oakley on November 8, 2024. It was disclosed during the trial at Cambridge Crown Court that Barnett had obtained medication from a pharmacy on the day of the family court hearing. Upon learning that Oakley would be removed from her care, she left the hearing and was later reported missing.
On the same day, police entered her residence and found her in the loft. After initially claiming Oakley was asleep, she confessed, “I have killed him.” Both were taken to the hospital, but despite medical efforts, Oakley passed away in December 2024.
Barnett was arrested in January 2025 on suspicion of murder but declined to answer any questions during police interviews. Following an 18-day trial, a jury at Cambridge Crown Court found her guilty. Nicola Pope, senior crown prosecutor, emphasized the tragic nature of the case and the deliberate actions that led to Oakley’s untimely death.
Detective Inspector James Holmes from Essex Police acknowledged the emotional toll of the investigation and expressed sympathy for Oakley and those who cared for him. Essex Police self-referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) regarding their search for Oakley and Barnett.
The IOPC noted potential areas for improvement within the police force, prompting Essex Police to implement recommended changes, including enhancing search procedures for lofts, cellars, and outbuildings.