Hayley MacFarlane, aged 39, appeared before Leeds Crown Court on Thursday, facing charges of murdering...

Published: 1:31 am December 29, 2023
Updated: 11:36 am October 8, 2025
Mother Charged with Murder of Five-Month-Old Daughter Appears in Court

Hayley MacFarlane, aged 39, appeared before Leeds Crown Court on Thursday, facing charges of murdering her five-month-old daughter, Evelyn MacFarlane. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, December 20, when Evelyn died in a hospital.

During the brief court hearing on December 28, MacFarlane, who resides on Carrington Street, Barnsley, appeared wearing a large khaki coat. She nodded only to confirm her name. She was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at the same court on January 25. Her trial has been set to commence on May 13.

West Yorkshire Police reported that a woman had contacted the authorities at 5:44 pm on December 20, reporting a baby in a serious condition in an area of the park at the junction of Clarendon Road and Moorland Road. The statement released by the police explained, “Officers attended and the five-month-old girl was taken to the hospital by ambulance for emergency treatment but was pronounced dead a short time later.

The tragic incident has left the community in shock, and the legal proceedings will continue as more details emerge.

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