Emma Barnett, 36, was jailed for the murder of her 14-month-old son Oakley, who died after being fed a cocktail of prescription medications in Essex in November 202416:22, 05 Jun 2026Updated 16:22, 05 Jun 2026Horror footage shows arrest of mum Emma Barnett who murdered sonA mum who murdered her own 14-month-old son by feeding him a lethal cocktail of milk and prescription drugs as he was about to be taken into care has been jailed.‌Emma Barnett, of Debden, Essex, hid in her loft with her son just hours after a family court hearing had determined that her son Oakley should be removed from her care. She had poisoned him and he died in hospital weeks later.‌Barnett, 36, of Chester Road, was found guilty of murder at Cambridge Crown Court on May 28 following an 18-day trial. On Friday, she was sentenced at the same court to life in prison. She must serve a minimum of 22 years behind bars.‌Mr Justice Derek Sweeting said that after attending the family court hearing online, Barnett was reported missing.The judge said social workers had been trying to locate Barnett and safeguard Oakley that day and that “the intention was to remove Oakley as that was the result of the court hearing”.‌The court heard she had parked her car at Epping Forest before returning home, where she hid in the loft with her son. Barnett later said in interview that she "wanted the police to think I was in the forest so I could stay indoors with Oakley".Police forced entry into her home and she initially refused to let them see Oakley. She told them Oakley was sleeping before declaring "I have killed him", the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.The judge told jurors that Barnett "tried to hang herself with police present and had taken an overdose of paracetamol". He said the prosecution's case was that Barnett "intentionally administered to him [Oakley] medication prescribed to her intending to kill him and this was the planned outcome".‌Evidence presented at court showed Barnett had prepared a bottle containing a mixture of milk and medication, which she gave to Oakley, causing his death.The judge said investigators found two baby bottles in the loft with liquids testing positive for the antihistamine promethazine, which can induce sedation, and the antidepressant mirtazapine. He said an expert’s evidence was that "taken together their effects may be greater than either alone” and they could cause “respiratory compromise".‌Nicola Pope, senior crown prosecutor, said: "Emma Barnett deliberately gave her baby son a dangerous mixture containing medication which proved fatal."Our prosecution case relied on a detailed and careful analysis of the evidence from the police investigation, including expert medical evidence, to establish how Oakley came to die."Article continues belowIn a tribute shared by Essex Police after her conviction, Oakley's family said: "His smile could brighten even the darkest day, and his gentle spirit brought so much happiness to our family.""We will forever miss his cuddles, his laughter and the happiness he brought into our lives," they continued. "While our hearts ache with the loss of him, we are grateful for every second we were blessed to spend with him."In a separate tribute, Oakley's dad said: "I will forever have that ache in my heart of never being able to have that father-son bond with him or be able to kick a ball together. I will forever love my little boy and miss him deeply."