Mum charged with murder as baby daughter dies after being found in park

23 December 2023 , 09:36

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Police are pictured at the scene of a crime (file image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A mum has been charged with murdering her five-month-old baby daughter who was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital from a park.

Hayley Macfarlane, 39, has been remanded in custody after appearing before magistrates in Leeds, accused of killing daughter Evelyn following an incident at Woodhouse Moor park in Leeds, police said. The 39-year-old, who was visibly upset in the glass-fronted dock, spoke only to confirm her date-of-birth and her home address.

Macfarlane, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was arrested after a woman had contacted officers at 5.44pm on Wednesday reporting a baby in a serious condition in an area of the park at the junction of Clarendon Road and Moorland Road.

West Yorkshire Police said the baby was pronounced dead after paramedics had arrived and taken her away for emergency treatment. The force's statement added: "Officers attended and the five-month-old girl was taken to hospital by ambulance for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead a short time later. A scene was put in place for forensic examination and detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are leading the investigation."

During her court appearance, lasting just three minutes, Macfarlane was told that magistrates were precluded from considering bail on a charge of murder. Macfarlane was also told that she will remain in custody until a prison video-link appearance at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday next week.

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