Woodhouse Moor: Mum accused of murdering her baby in Leeds park could face trial in May

A mother accused of murdering her baby daughter in a Leeds park could stand trial in May.

Dressed in a green jacket, Hayley Macfarlane appeared in the dock at Leeds Crown Court , where she only spoke to confirm her name during the brief five-minute hearing today.

The 39-year-old, of Carrington Street, Barnsley, was remanded into custody at HMP New Hall near Wakefield.

A pre-trial preparation hearing was set for January 25, where she may enter a plea. A date of May 13 has been set for a potential trial, and is expected to last up to two weeks.

The scene in Woodhouse Moor, Leeds.placeholder image
The scene in Woodhouse Moor, Leeds.

Police were called at around 5.45pm on Wednesday, December 20, to reports that a baby was in a “serious condition” in an area of Woodhouse Moor. Officers attended the park at the junction of Clarendon Road and Moorland Road and found the five-month-old girl.

The tot was taken to hospital by ambulance for emergency treatment but died a short time later.

Celebrating 135 years of telling Leeds' stories
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice