A 39-year old woman from Barnsley has appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with the murder of her five-month old daughter, Evelyn. Evelyn was discovered in a critical condition in Woodhouse Moor park on Wednesday evening, and died in hospital later. The defendant, Hayley Macfarlane, was not required to enter a plea during the three-minute hearing, and will next appear at Leeds Crown Court via video link on Thursday.
Macfarlane’s only words during the hearing were to confirm her date of birth and her home address. She has been remanded in custody until her next hearing. The court proceedings on Saturday were brief, with Macfarlane only speaking to confirm her identity before the judge remanded her in custody.
The area in which Evelyn was discovered was cordoned off by police following the discovery. Anyone who may have information regarding the incident has been asked to contact West Yorkshire police. The police investigation into Evelyn’s death is ongoing.
BBC Yorkshire have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The organisation can be contacted via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or email. The matter has prompted shocked reactions from the general public on social media, and more information about the case is likely to emerge in the coming days and weeks
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