Hayley Macfarlane, 39, admitted to the killing of her five-month-old daughter, Evelyn, whose body was discovered with serious injuries in a city park last December.

A mother has admitted to killing her five-month-old daughter in a tragic case that has shocked the community. Hayley Macfarlane, 39, appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Monday where she pleaded guilty to infanticide.

The charge relates to the death of her baby, Evelyn, who was found with critical injuries in Woodhouse Moor park on December 20, 2023. Despite emergency services’ efforts, the infant later died from her injuries.

Macfarlane, of Carrington Street in Barnsley, was initially charged with murder. However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) accepted her guilty plea to the lesser charge of infanticide. Infanticide is a specific offence in English law that can be used when a mother kills her child under the age of 12 months while the balance of her mind was disturbed as a result of giving birth.

Following the plea, Macfarlane was remanded in custody. She is scheduled to appear for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on June 13.

Understanding the Charge of Infanticide

The decision to accept a plea of infanticide rather than proceed with a murder charge is significant. Under the Infanticide Act 1938, a woman who kills her child within the first year of its life can be found guilty of this offence if it is proven that “the balance of her mind was disturbed by reason of her not having fully recovered from the effect of giving birth to the child.”

This legal framework recognizes the potential severe impact of post-natal depression and other post-partum mental health conditions. It is distinct from murder, which requires an intent to kill or cause grievous bodily harm. A conviction for infanticide carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but courts often have more discretion in sentencing, frequently imposing hospital orders or other non-custodial sentences.

The CPS has not yet commented on the specific reasons for accepting the plea in this case, but it is understood to be based on assessments of Macfarlane’s mental state at the time of the incident.

Community in Mourning

The discovery of baby Evelyn in Woodhouse Moor last December sparked a significant police response and an outpouring of grief from the local community. Floral tributes and soft toys were left at the scene in the days following the tragedy, as residents struggled to come to terms with the event.

West Yorkshire Police launched an immediate investigation, which led to the arrest and charging of Macfarlane. In a statement at the time, the force expressed its devastation over the incident and offered condolences to all those affected.

As the legal process moves towards its conclusion, the focus will remain on the sentencing hearing at Sheffield Crown Court next month, where the court will hear further details surrounding the circumstances of this heartbreaking case.