A woman has admitted the manslaughter of her two-year-old daughter, who was discovered in a pond in Hampshire last year. Alice Mackey, 42, of Oakhanger, entered the plea at Winchester Crown Court in connection with the death of Annabel Mackey.
Annabel went missing from her home in Kingsley on 10 September 2023 and was found shortly afterwards at Kingsley Pond. She was taken to hospital in a serious condition but died the following afternoon.
Mackey had initially been charged with murder, but she pleaded not guilty to that charge. The prosecution accepted the plea after reports from two psychiatrists indicated she was suffering from diminished responsibility at the time of the incident.
Judge Parker KC adjourned the case for sentencing on 6 October and remanded Mackey in custody until then.
Following Annabel’s death, her father paid tribute to her, describing her as a “beautiful, positive and very happy little girl” who loved story time, dogs and her dolly. He urged others to “continue Annabel’s legacy by remembering her and caring for others as much as she did.”
