In November 2024, social workers, police, and the family court system were all focused on one vulnerable 14 month old boy: Oakley Barnett. His mother, Emma Barnett, had already lost care of her previous children, and a final court decision was about to determine whether Oakley would also be removed from her custody. What happened over the next few hours would end in one of the most devastating child murder cases in recent UK history.

As officers searched desperately for Emma and Oakley across Essex, helicopters circled overhead and concerns grew that something had gone terribly wrong. But the truth was far closer than anyone realised. Hidden inside a barricaded loft space, Emma and Oakley were waiting. When police finally located them shortly after midnight, a single sentence changed everything and triggered a frantic rescue attempt that came too late to save a little boy whose entire future should still have been ahead of him.

In this episode of REDRUM True Crime, Grace examines the murder of Oakley Barnett, the warning signs leading up to the tragedy, the role of social services and family court proceedings, the evidence presented at trial, and the questions that remain about whether intervention can ever move quickly enough when a crisis unfolds behind closed doors.

As officers listened outside that loft hatch, they still believed Oakley was alive. Then Emma spoke one sentence that would instantly transform a missing child investigation into something far more horrifying...

Sign up for the free REDRUM newsletter, full of all things true crime, as well as a run down of all the latest REDRUM cases. This will only ever come to you once a month... I'm no fan of spam. ⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S) https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W79H87S⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/) https://www.instagram.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠

Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/) https://www.facebook.com/redrumtruecrime/⁠⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠ (https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime) https://twitter.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠

You can email me: ⁠⁠⁠redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ (mailto:redrumtruecrimepodcast@gmail.com)

SHOP MERCH: ⁠⁠⁠redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com⁠⁠⁠ (https://redrumtruecrime.myshopify.com)

Podcast versions of all episodes if you prefer to listen on the go:

⁠⁠⁠ (https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952) https://open.spotify.com/show/1FCoeRZQeDkEJ5i8bGuFpy?si=ec5c7c4c945c4952⁠⁠⁠

Sources & Accuracy: Information in these videos is gathered from publicly available sources such as news reports, interviews, court documents, and online discussions. While I do my best to present accurate and up-to-date information, some details may be incomplete, outdated, or disputed. Statements made by individuals are presented as claims or allegations unless officially confirmed.

Opinion & Commentary: All content is created for informational and commentary purposes. The views expressed are my own and should not be taken as fact. This content is not intended to harm, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or group. Viewers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own conclusions.

No Professional Advice: Nothing in this content should be considered legal, professional, or expert advice. Duhh guys I'm no lawyer.

Fair Use Notice: This content may include clips, images, or references used under fair use for commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

Liability: I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of the information presented and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes related to its use. All information is provided “as is,” and it is your responsibility to verify any details independently.

If you're able, please support me on Patreon/buymeacoffee/YouTube membership to continue bringing REDRUM content to YouTube. Thanks, Grace x

Patreon monthly subscription- ⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠ (https://⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/redrumtruecrime⁠⁠⁠)

A one off donation- ⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠ (https://⁠⁠⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/redrumhumans⁠⁠⁠)

Youtube monthly membership levels- ⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGzDaluex7D_hPe7exgKhQ/join⁠⁠⁠

Thanks,

Grace x

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices