December 22nd 2023.
Shock and sadness has spread across Leeds with the news that a mother has been charged with the murder of her five-month-old daughter.
Hayley Macfarlane, 39, from Barnsley, was arrested and remanded in custody after police responded to reports of a baby in a serious condition at Woodhouse Moor Park, known locally as Hyde Park.
Officers found the child near the junction of Clarendon Road and Moorland Road and she was rushed to hospital, but sadly could not be saved.
A police cordon remained in place until Thursday evening while forensics examined the area. Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said of the tragedy: “The death of a child in these circumstances is clearly a very tragic incident and we are carrying out enquiries to get a complete picture of what has occurred. We would like to hear from anyone who was in the park around this time and who witnessed anything or who has any information that could assist the investigation.”
Woodhouse Moor is a large public park about a mile north-west of Leeds city centre, bordering many student digs. It is a hugely popular spot with locals, and its tragic circumstances are all the more bitter.
The incident follows the news of another mother charged with the murder of her four-year-old son who was stabbed to death at home in London. Both stories send a shudder of sorrow through communities across the country.
Our thoughts are with those affected by these terrible tragedies.
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