EMMA LEIGH BARKER - 18 months (2009) - Lancaster CA

Stacey Barker Held in Suffocation Death of Daughter

Stacey Barker remains in prison for allegedly suffocating daughter to death.

By The Staff at wowOwow.com



A California woman named Stacey Barker remains in jail for allegedly suffocating her 18-month-daughter, Emma Leigh, to death. Ms. Barker claims that she was knocked out and her child was abducted, but police insist otherwise. Emma Leigh first went missing on March 18, and, after finding inconsistencies in Barker’s story, police arrested her last week.

Said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Pat Nelson:

"At this point, as best as we can determine, the infant died through
suffocation at the hands of the mother. After her third or fourth
version of events, we knew she wasn’t telling the truth, and we were
able to determine what happened. At this point, we believe she acted
alone."

Cops believe Barker killed her daughter at least four hours before declaring her missing, and dumped her body in a nearby town, the Los Angeles Times reports.

This is truly a tragedy.

http://www.wowowow.com/politics/stacey-barker-held-suffocation-death-daughter-emma-leigh-279633

How very sad, another precious, precious child dead at the hands of an undeserving mother.

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090428/NEWS07/304289906/-1/NEIGHBORS

LANCASTER, Calif. -- A Southern California mother has been charged with murdering the 18-month-old daughter she initially reported missing last month.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles County said Monday that 24-year-old Stacey Marie Barker of Quartz Hill was charged with one count each of murder, assault on a child causing death, and child abuse.

Barker had claimed that an attacker knocked her out and abducted her daughter Emma on March 18, authorities said. She later recanted and helped sheriff's deputies locate the child's body in the brush beside a road in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles.

"At this point, as best as we can determine, the infant died through suffocation at the hands of the mother," sheriff's Lt. Pat Nelson said. "After her third or fourth version of events, we knew she wasn't telling the truth."

Barker's brother, Nick, told The Associated Press after her arrest last Thursday that she says the child's death was an accident, but she didn't tell him what happened.

Detectives arrested Barker last Thursday because of "indications she might flee or disappear," Nelson said. She was being held on $1 million bail.

Investigators believe the girl died four or five hours before her mother reported her missing, he said.

Barker is scheduled to be arraigned May 11.

-- Associated Press

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_212226258.shtml

Stacey Marie Barker has been charged with the murder of her 18-month-old daughter Emma Barker, whom she initially reported missing last month.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles County said Monday that Stacey Marie Barker, 24, was charged with one count each of murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse Monday, according to the District Attorney's office.



Barker had initially claimed that an attacker knocked her out and kidnapped her daughter Emma on March 18, authorities said. She would later recant her story and helped sheriff's deputies look for the child's body.


The child's body was found 12 hours later, dumped in a grassy lot near the Golden State Freeway in Sylmar.

Detectives arrested Barker last Thursday because of "indications she might flee or disappear," according to AP reports. She was being held on $1 million bail.

Investigators believe the girl died four or five hours before her mother reported her missing.

Emma's funeral drew hundreds of family and friends to Palmdale's Desert Lawn Memorial Park, where the toddler was eulogized as "a princess and a little girl who always had a smile on her face."

Barker is scheduled to be arraigned May 11.

Stacey Barker has arrested and charged with the murder of Emma Barker, her 18-month-old daughter whom she initially reported missing last month.
Prosecutors in Los Angeles County said Monday that Stacey Barker, 24, was charged with one count each of murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse Monday, according to the District Attorney's office.
Barker is believed to have dumped her daughter's body in Sylmar near Interstate 5 after the girl's body was found to have been suffocated hours before the alleged "attack" on the mother, according to detectives.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Pat Nelson said Monday: "At this point, as best as we can determine, the infant died through suffocation at the hands of the mother."
"After her third or fourth version of events, we knew she wasn't telling the truth, and we were able to determine what happened. At this point, we believe she acted alone."
Barker's arraignment is scheduled for May 11. She is being held on $1 million bail.

http://www.postchronicle.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=134&num=226263

May 11, 2009 11:40 am US/Pacific

Lancaster Mom Pleads Not Guilty In Toddler's Death
LANCASTER


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CBS
1 of 1
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• 
  Mother Charged With Murder In Her Baby's Death (4/27/2009)
  
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  Mom Of Dead Toddler Says She Lied About Kidnapping (3/21/2009)
  

"A Quartz Hill woman pleaded not guilty today to murder and other
charges stemming from the death of her 18-month-old daughter, whom she
initially claimed was taken from her in a violent kidnapping.

Along with murder, Stacey Marie Barker is accused of one count each of assault on a child causing death and child abuse.

Authorities allege the 24-year-old woman initially lied to investigators about the circumstances of her toddler's death.

...."

http://cbs2.com/local/Stacey.Marie.Barker.2.1006928.html

A Southern California mother has been ordered to stand trial for
murder in the death of her 18-month-old daughter, whom she first
claimed was violently kidnapped.A Lancaster Superior Court judge
found sufficient evidence Monday to order 24-year-old Stacey Barker of
Quartz Hill to be tried on murder, assault on a child causing death and
child abuse charges.Police say Barker initially lied when she
told deputies that someone knocked her unconscious as she put her
toddler, Emma Leigh, into the car March 19. She told sheriff's deputies
she awoke hours later half-dressed in a park-and-ride lot in Palmdale.Officials
say Barker later told deputies her daughter died in an accident and she
panicked and dumped the body. She was arrested a month later and has
been in jail since.

related stories: (There are many...)
http://www.nowpublic.com/culture/stacey-barker-aug-11-hearing-star-witness-doesnt-want-play

snipped....

SB was not in court due to bus trouble. RD told Judge Z he waived his client's right to be present.

Judge Z set April 13 as the final pre-trial hearing to finish up, rule on the motions, 402's and discovery.

Jury selection by the 18th, Judge Z is asking for 60 jurors to begin the proceedings - he is figuring it will take a few days.

read more>
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6324271&postcount=302

Friday, May 6, 2011


Stacey Barker Murder Trial - Day Two





Day two (Thursday, April 28 ) of the Stacey Barker murder trial was a frustrating day pretty much all around. Sue Barker, the defendant's mother, was back on the stand for more direct questioning by Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Kelly Cromer. The day was frustrating for DDA Kelly Cromer because Sue Barker seemed to have developed a serious case of the "I don't recall" syndrome....the state had requested the court to declare her a hostile witness yesterday.....and the court agreed. (Sorry missed reporting this yesterday)

The day was also frustrating for our friends, here is what Tori had to say about Sue's testimony, " I felt so sorry for her I could feel her pain and she looked like she was in a daze...this has taken a toll on her, Ange commented that she felt like she just wanted to hug her and tell her it was NOT her fault, that she felt heartsick for this woman she did not know...a husband that would leave her in her greatest pain for thoughts and words she said about her daughter. A daughter that had killed her only grandchild, she is in great fear of losing her husband now...how sad she loses her granddaughter, her daughter and if Stacey is convicted because of her testimony she may also lose her husband, because Stacey Barker is a "Daddy's girl" and always has been.

Just hearing Tori's description makes Sue's pain palpable for me. Does it you? No doubt, this was one of the more frustrating days of Sue's life. She learned she was recorded in an interview with the homicide detectives when she said of her daughter, " I know she did it, and I want you to prove it". Her gut instinct was justice for her granddaughter, not of making up lies to protect her daughter. If you haven't seen them already, Tori very kindly made several comments here giving her impressions of the day.

There was something worrisome that happened in court after the jury was dismissed yesterday. Our friends learned today that Judge Zackey advised both parties that he wants Sue Barker examined and her testimony is to be recorded in case something were to happen to her. The court didn't expand on that, but I think we can read between the lines :(




There's a lot to say so I'll get to reporting the court business and testimony. Before the jury was brought in for the day's testimony, DDA Cromer had some things to say about the first day of trial and Stacey Barker's Public Defender, Roberto Dager. Kelly made it clear to the court that she was mad at things PD Dager had said in his opening statement. Cromer felt that that Dager's concentration in his opening on condemning the state and detectives including making personal attacks against them for recording X's conversations with Barker was misconduct. Judge Zackey agreed with the state. Zackey said if it was misconduct, it will not be tolerated, adding he will read the transcripts of the defense opening and would rule later. (I wonder if he will wait until after trial to make a ruling?)

There is a few other issues for the court to discuss before testimony could start, Judge Zackey advised both parties that someone had called the LA County Sheriff's Office to report that Sue Barker was heard talking about her testimony in the hallway in front of some jurors. Judge Zackey had the jury brought in and questioned them whether they had overheard anyone talking about the case in the hallway during break. No one on the jury had heard anyone talking about the case, so the judge reminded them of the admonishment not to talk to anyone about the case or allow anyone to talk to them about it. If this did happen he advised them to talk to Johnnie, the court's bailiff who would let him know.



read more>

http://katfishponders.blogspot.com/search/label/Emma%20Leigh%20Barker

LANCASTER, Calif. -- A mother who initially claimed she was assaulted and her 18- month- old daughter kidnapped has been convicted of suffocating the little girl and dumping her body near a freeway.

Stacey Barker, 24, was convicted of one count of first degree murder, assault on a child and child abuse.

Barker initially told deputies her daughter Emma was abducted from her car in the parking lot of Lancaster City Park on March 18th.

She claimed she was knocked out by the kidnapper and woke up several miles away at the Palmdale Park-n-Ride.

The incident triggered a 12-hour manhunt for the missing child.

Barker later admitted making up the abduction story.

She said the little girl died accidentally, causing her to panic and leave the girl's body near the freeway.

The child's body was found 12 hours later, dumped in a grassy lot near the Golden State Freeway in Sylmar.

Coroner's officials say Emma died of suffocation. According to prosecutors the girl's death was consistent with suffocation caused by a hand being placed over her month and nose.

Prosecutors say Emma had been dead for several hours before being dumped.

Barker's father told KTLA back in March that Barker lived at home with her parents and younger brother who all took turns taking care of the family's first and only grandchild.

Gary Barker said his wife worked at night so they wouldn't have to send Emma to day care, while his son watched Emma during the morning so other family members could rest.

Barker would not comment on what led to his granddaughter's death.

He said there were no words to express how the family is dealing with the news as they prepare for the toddler's funeral.

He described Emma as a "beautiful, happy girl'' who smiled from the time she got up to when she went to bed.

"You lose it, you get it together, you lose it, you get it together,'' he told reporters.

"She was so young and it's such an unnatural tragedy.''

Barker said there are constant reminders of Emma around the house that surface at the most unexpected moments.

The TV menu cataloged the last movies they watched together. Emma especially loved "Bee Movie'' and "Alvin and the Chipmunks,'' he said.

He said he last saw Emma the night before the alleged abduction when he got home from work just before his granddaughter's bedtime.

His voice choked with emotion as he recalled the memory.

"I was holding her in the family room and I was dancing with her and slowly dipping her,'' he said.

"She was laughing and smiling and we were looking at each other eye to eye. After that it was bedtime and Stacey gave her a bottle and put her to bed.''

Emma's funeral drew hundreds of family and friends to Palmdale's Desert Lawn Memorial Park, where the toddler was eulogized as "a princess and a little girl who always had a smile on her face."

During the service, Barker sat between parents Susan and Gary Barker, holding their hands.

Barker is set to be sentenced June 17. She faces 25-years to life in prison.https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=195752910471352&set=a.189479161098727.45710.110955438951100&type=1&theater

A Southern California woman who claimed her 18-month-old daughter had
been abducted, then later led authorities to the child's body has been
sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.Stacey Barker of Quartz Hill was sentenced
Friday in Antelope Valley Superior Court.Barker was convicted last month of
first-degree murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse.Barker
told Antelope Valley authorities that an attacker knocked her
unconscious at a Lancaster park and stole her daughter in March 2009.
Sheriff's deputies searched for 12 hours for the child.Prosecutors say Barker later
confessed that the child was dead and led detectives to the girl's body in a weedy lot
in Sylmar.Authorities say the girl died of suffocation. Barker said the child's death was accidental.

Read more: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Mother-gets-25-years-to-life-for-toddler-death-1429667.php#ixzz1Pb2cqhIr

Sunday, August 28, 2011
Fall Out Continues From The Murder Of Emma Barker

Emma Barker was an adorable 18 month old baby girl who lived at the home of her grandparents in Lancaster, CA with her single mother Stacey Barker when she was reported missing on March 18, 2009. Emma's uncle Nick and Stacey's boyfriend Brendan Borrelli reported to police that Barker had been attacked and said her daughter was missing. Barker claimed that she had been attacked and knocked unconscious while loading Emma into her car seat after playing at a Lancaster City Park. Barker said when she "came to" 6 hours later at a Park ~N~ Ride, 10 miles down the road, she found herself only partially dressed and Emma was gone. The community was horrified, was there a psycho attacking mothers and stealing their babies in Lancaster?

The next day when the "truth" came out it was just as horrifying. Stacey Barker led police to the spot on the side of the highway where she had dumped Emma's body after changing her story to one (of many) that Emma had died accidentally after suffocating on a plastic baggy she found in her mother's purse when they were driving on the highway. Barker said she panicked when she dumped Emma and made up her kidnapping story because she didn't want to be blamed for Emma's death or thought of as a bad mother . This scenario garnered attention of national media....why would a mother do this to her child? The evidence didn't support any of Barker's accounts and she was eventually charged with murder for the death of her daughter.

Two years later a Los Angeles County jury convicted Stacey Barker of the first-degree murder of her daughter, along with one count of assault on child causing death and 2 counts of child abuse with special enhancements/ allegations. On June 17, 2011, Superior Court Judge Hayden Zackey sentenced 26 year old Stacey Marie Barker to 25 years to life. She is serving her time at Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, CA.

I won't go through the whole story here, if you aren't familiar with the case or need a refresher, you can follow the link here to the previous coverage at Katfishponders.... be sure to read the comment sections too because several friends of Katfishponders attended the pre-trial hearings and trial, they provided most of the information posted on this blog about the case, but they also added additional details in the comments. As always (can't say it enough), thanks to Tori, Ange, Tiffney Diamond, A nurse, and LeftCoastMom (LCM) for taking the time to attend court and sharing the details!

This is a case where, in this writer's opinion, justice was done....unlike that FLORIDA case of a murdering mommy, Casey Anthony.....but that's another story. This post is about the continuing quest for justice in the murder of Emma Barker....evidently justice isn't finished.

Borrelli and Barker in happier times
During Stacey Barker's trial her boyfriend and loyal supporter Brendon Borrelli testified on her behalf. As the trial progressed evidence was submitted that contradicted much of Borrelli's testimony. A warrant was issued for Brendon Borrelli's arrest for charges of perjury (for lying in court) and conspiracy (to file a false police report) on August 19. Borrelli turned himself in to law enforcement on August 23, 2011. At his custody hearing Borrelli was released on his own recognizance by a Judge Steven D. Ogden.

Borrelli's arraignment is scheduled for 9/8/11 in Dept A1 at the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse at 8:30am....
According to the CA Penal Code, if Borrelli is convicted on the perjury charge he could face 2 - 4 years in state penitentiary. The penalty for the conspiracy charge is not as clear in the code as it is for perjury, there are many variables, but we do know both counts Borrelli is charged with are felonies. We will watch this case and let you know.

http://katfishponders.blogspot.com/2011/08/fall-out-continues-from-murder-of-emma.html