Emma Leigh Barker -- Found Deceased 3/18/09

Emma Barker ~ It's Been A Year ~ March 18, 2009 - March 18, 2010

by LCoastMom | March 18, 2010 at 10:26 pm



Last year at this time Stacey Barker had just celebrated her 24th Birthday. She had a full time job, a love of parties and a new man in her life. Unlike many young people her age, Stacey didn't live her life in FaceBook or MySpace - although she had an account, she seemed to use it sparingly. There were party pictures and photo's of Stacey, that would have made a nice portfolio. Count down messages to Brandon, regarding a Nascar weekend, the occasional; 'we should get together, soon' from old friends and 'Hi! How are you?' from potential new friends. Nothing that made Barker's MySpace account any different from thousands of other young girls who lived with their parents, while deciding what to do with the rest of their life.

Except for Emma, Barkers 18 month old daughter. Absolutely beautiful, the apple of her grandpa's eye and keeper of her uncle's heart. Emma had captured the whole family when she came into their lives on Sept 2, 2007. Every morning, Barker got up early and headed to work. Her mother, Sue worked the 3rd shift and her brother Nick, a full time college student arranged their schedules so Emma didn't go to day care. The happy toddler spent her day surrounded by those who loved her most.

Last March 17, the party-mama stayed out celebrating St. Paddy's Day at a local watering hole, with her boyfriend, Brendon, until the wee hours of the morn - March 18. Once she made it home, her head barely had time to hit the pillow before it was time to get up for another day at the office. When Stacey returned from work that afternoon, she fed Emma a Lunchable, for an early supper - while she and her mother had words about the late hours Barker had been keeping. Sue told her daughter, everyone was willingly making sacrifices for Emma except for her, she was no longer willing to keep Emma - so Stacey could run around half the night - Emma needed her mother. Not happy about her mother's decision, Barker told her brother Nick, she was going to take advantage of the nice weather and take Emma to the Lancaster Park, she put her daughter in her car seat and they headed out.

Almost eight hours would go by before she was heard from again. Barker's brother Nick, had spent part of the evening on his computer, messaging back and forth with a girl friend, who teased him about the pictures from his 21st Birthday Party. At 10:30 PM, Nick got an urgent message from his sister, calling from the Avenue S Park 'n Ride in Palmdale - saying she needed him. A second call went to the new man in her life, Brendon. They both showed up, finding Barker alone, half dressed, with bruises on her head and ribs, and appearing to be half - unconscious. Nick placed the 911 call, to report his 18 month old niece missing and an attack on his sister.

Read lots more:
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/emma-barker-its-been-year-march-18-2009-march-18-2010

I remember this precious little baby, and wondering if it was a "copy cat" of a young single mom who "related" to KC - but after everything that came out - I don't think that Emma's mother thought anything about kc while she did what she did - yes, there are many similarities between caylee's momma and Emma's momma, but there could be similarities drawn between virtually every murder. What have we done as a society by raising young mothers who murder their precious little babies??
The poem in the link you provided Snaz was so touching... how many little boys and girls can claim that poem as their life story?? TOO MANY....

Here's the poem tish referenced:

This was written by Emma's friend Tiffany Diamond:

I wrote a little poem, I hope you like it...DON'T CRY FOR ME, DON'T SHED A TEAR

TO ALL MY NEW FRIENDS, DON'T CRY FOR ME, DON'T SHED A TEAR, I AM OK, I NO LONGER LIVE IN FEAR....

I AM NO LONGER IN FEAR OR PAIN, I AM HAPPY AND FREE THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE, SO DON'T CRY FOR ME, DON'T SHED A TEAR, I AM OK, NO LONGER LIVING IN FEAR....

I DON'T BLAME THAT WOMAN, FOR I REALIZE SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO HEART OR SOULS, SO PLEASE DON'T CRY FOR ME, DON'T SHED A TEAR, I AM OK, NO LONGER LIVING IN FEAR....

IT IS VERY PRETTY HERE, THE ANGELS ARE ALL AROUND, THE PEOPLE ARE SO GENTLE, PATIENT AND KIND, THE WAY IT IS MEANT TO BE, SO DON'T CRY FOR ME, DON'T SHED A TEAR, I AM OK, NO LONGER LIVING IN FEAR....

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I SAID OR DID, TO BE HERE AND NOT THERE, BUT THAT DOES NOT MATTER, FOR I AM NO LONGER IN PAIN OR FEAR... SO DON'T CRY FOR ME, DON'T SHED A TEAR...

THANK YOU TO ALL MY NEW FRIENDS, WHO CAME TO MY DEFENSE, YOU ARE LIKE THE ANGELS ALL AROUND ME, YOU ARE MY GUARDIAN FENCE, SO PLEASE DON'T CRY FOR ME, DON'T SHED A TEAR, I AM OK, NO LONGER LIVING IN FEAR....

IT IS SO PRETTY HERE, NO MORE NEED FOR FEAR, I EVEN HAVE A FRIEND, WHO IS A LOT LIKE ME "HEY, CAYLEE COME HERE..." I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW DON'T CRY FOR ME, DON'T SHED A TEAR, I AM OK, NO LONGER IN FEAR...

I REALLY LIKE ALL THE WORK YOU ARE DOING TO KEEP MY MEMORY ALIVE, I JUST WISH THAT LADY LOVED ME, IN THE WAY ALL YOU DO, MAYBE THEN I WOULD BE THERE....IF SHE JUST GAVE ME A CHANCE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAY I AM SORRY MOMMY, I WILL BE GOOD NEXT TIME, I WON'T BE LOUD OR GET IN THE WAY, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A HUG AND SAY I LOVE YOU MOMMY

BUT SADLY THAT WILL NEVER BE, BUT I AM OK, I AM NO LONGER IN PAIN, NO LONGER LIVING IN FEAR......

EMMA

God bless our angels.

What a sad story, she had so many that loved her. Another innocent life taken at the hands of her mother. Yes, the poem is fitting for too many little ones.

This article is from back in May, but newer than the other reports already posted. I am still looking for newer updates. This case seems to have been dropped by the media..... does anyone know anything about what has happened in the last few months? I did a search, but was unable to find anything newer than what is already posted.
This is another one of those cases that just breaks my heart.

An Elegy for Emma Leigh Barker

by Dr Robert Brignall in Crime, May 2, 2009

The truth is a rare commodity in this case of apparent infanticide.

On March 20, 2009, the dead body of a child was discovered in Sylmar, California, in tall grass near Interstate 5, also known as the Golden State Freeway. Investigators from the LA County Sheriff’s Department located the body with help from its mother, who had placed it there. Emma Leigh Barker had been all of 18 months old.

Now the mother, Stacey Barker, sits behind bars in lieu of a million dollars bail, charged with murder, assault on a child causing death, and child abuse. Emma Leigh showed no outward signs of trauma, and the autopsy results are being kept under wraps at the request of investigators. Yet the salient question is not how the tot was killed but why.

The Mother’s Kidnapping Story Quickly Falls Apart

Stacey Barker, a single mother in her early twenties, first spun a tale vaguely reminiscent of the Susan Smith case, except that Barker’s story had a shorter life span. According to Richard Winter of the LA Times, the Antelope Valley woman initially told investigators that on March 18, she and her child had spent that afternoon in Lancaster Park. As she was putting Emma in her car seat, Stacey claimed, she was struck from behind by an unseen assailant, knocking her unconscious. She came to at about 10:30 PM at a Palmdale parking lot miles from the park, ‘partially clothed,’ and her child was missing.

It is true that Stacey called her brother, who in turn called the Palmdale branch of the LA County Sheriff’s department at 11 PM. Stacey was treated at a hospital for some kind of head trauma. Then she was interviewed by investigators.

It is a common police interrogation practice to have a witness repeat his or her story, and Stacey’s tale folded under scrutiny. “Within a few hours, several inconsistencies developed,” said Lt. Pat Nelson. “After her third or fourth version of the events, we knew she wasn’t telling the truth, and we were able to determine what happened.” Stacey recanted the kidnapping story, admitted she was responsible for the girl’s death, but claimed it was an ’accident,’ and that thereafter she panicked, said investigator Sgt. Diane Hecht. Stacey then helped investigators locate the body.

Read more: http://socyberty.com/crime/an-elegy-for-emma-leigh-barker/#ixzz10f5hpMg7

There has been very little main stream media coverage on this case lately.

Katfish of Katfish Ponders has an excellent article posted a few days ago.

LCoastMom, a member here, and she was a strong supporter of "Justice for precious Emma Thompson," wrote an update regarding the Stacy Barker trial as a guest on Katfish Ponders.

Stacy Barker's trial should start soon; perhaps in May, 2011. It has been over 2 years since little 18 month old Emma Barker was murdered and I think it is past due for Stacy Barker's trial.

Per info on Katfish Ponders web site, LCoastMom and others will be attending some of Stacy Barker's trial which is in California of course. LCoastMom will be writing, as a guest on Katfish Ponders, info during the trial for the days she attends if I understand it correctly.

I am looking forward to LCoastMom's (and others) articles "live" from the Court House during Stacy's trial!

LCoastMom, I will never forget the comments you made on various media websites in Texas to show your support for justice for Emma Thompson! You are awesome!

I will post the Links, here at RC, to a few of the recent articles at Katfish Ponders.

I support: ~ ~ ~ Justice for little Emma Barker! ~ ~ ~

This is an excellent article by Katfish dated April 21, 2011. It includes the case background, recent case developments and a picture of Stacy Barker and a picture of little Emma Barker.
~~~~~~

Katfish ..... Ponders .....

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Stacy Barker Murder Trial Set To Get Under Way? Will it be April or Will It Be May?

Stacey Barker is a 26 year old Quartz Hills, CA woman accused of killing her 18 month old daughter 2 years ago. During this time, friends of Katfish....Ponders have been attending the pretrial hearings and sharing what they see and hear. Once again I want to thank these caring women Toria, Ange, Tiffany Diamond, ANurse, and LeftCoastMom for taking time out of their busy lives to attend the hearings.

Anyone who has been following this case will understand the reason I wrote the title to this post as a question, there has been a lot of delays...trial dates set and postponed, failed plea deal negotiations, and more, more, more delays. I'm to the point that I won't believe this trial is happening until I know that a jury has been seated. What I want to do in this post is update you on some recent hearings and what we do know about the (alleged) upcoming trial. :)

Read more:

http://katfishponders.blogspot.com/2011/04/stacy-barker-murder-trial-set-to-get.html

Katfish ..... Ponders

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Stacy Barker- It's Time To get This Trial Under Way- Guest Entry By LCoastMom

LCoastMom (LCM) is a friend of katfishponders and I'm pleased she has allowed me to bring this post here to share. LCM isn't from the Antelope Valley (AV), but she has made a point to attend a couple pre-trial hearings in this case and has plans to attend some of Stacey Barker's murder trial...whenever / wherever it finally starts. Look for future posts from LCoastMom here at Katfish...ponders once the trial starts. Tori and I will still be doing our collaboration too....between us we should have pretty good coverage. Check back for updates and trial coverage!

Emma, only 18 months old when she died, had just one Easter celebration. If she lived, Emma would now be 3 1/2. Old enough to go to church, if her family so wanted - in a cute new dress, with a bonnet, ruffled socks, little purse and matching shoes - old enough to have an Easter Egg Hunt - an Easter Basket with a chocolate bunny that would have melted into a fine mess and maybe a new stuffed toy to snuggle at night.

Read more:

http://katfishponders.blogspot.com/2011/04/stacy-barker-its-time-to-get-this-trial.html
~~~~~

Blue color by: Ann-Tx

For other Katfish Ponders's articles dated from 8-18-2010 thru current, please click on this Link:

http://katfishponders.blogspot.com/2011/04/stacy-barker-its-time-to-get-this-trial.html
Katfish Ponders - Stacy Barker/ Emma Barker articles

Snaz and Ann - Thank you - I didn't realize Emma had a thread here or I would have kept it up dated. Like our little angel Emma Thompson - Emma Leigh Barker just touched something in my heart - I have not been able to leave this case alone.

As a poster up thread wrote this case has many similarities to Caylee Marie Anthony, minus the public displays and the drama. A mother who lived with her parents and preferred parties and boys to child care, a disagreement over babysitting duties and a boyfriend who wasn't looking to settle down.

One of the odd quirks here was that before Emma's death, Stacey Barker (SB) was heard saying people shouldn't judge Casey Anthony without all the facts! Another is an inmate SB befriended - now known as Witness X, he will be sharing what she told him regarding Emma's murder.

DDA S Kelly Cromer has been a fierce warrior for our precious Emma Leigh. Twice PD Roberto Dager has requested a plea deal that would amount to minimal jail time for SB and twice Ms Cromer has declined. We who have taken this walk seeking Justice For Emma are beyond thrilled that the trial is starting soon.

Thanks for the update LCoastMom. It's great to hear that Stacey's trial is starting soon.

Justice4all wrote:Thanks for the update LCoastMom. It's great to hear that Stacey's trial is starting soon.

You're welcome. Thanks to Ann for letting us know about this thread.

LCoastMom & Ann, thanks for the updates, and for the adorable picture of Emma.

Hi, LCoastMom!

I had to hunt for this thread. Because there has been no recent activity on this thread, it was not on the front page of Missing/Murdered.

I am so happy to hear that DDA S Kelly Cromer has been a fierce warrior for precious Emma Leigh Barker.

I think it is wonderful that you and others will be able to attend some or all of Stacy's trial. If I lived in the area, I would definitely attend the trial in support of justice for precious little Emma!

I am really looking forward to the articles you and Katfish will write regarding the trial proceedings. It is now my understanding that Toria (I think I have the name correct) will be attending the trial also and provide Katfish info since she does not like to write articles.

LCoastMom, thank you, Toria, and others (?), who will attend the trial, so very much for sharing info with those who are following this case!

Thanks for the beautiful picture of little Emma! What a beautiful child!

Hi, Julie!

You are welcome regarding the updates about this trial being attended by some from California and Katfish of Katfish Ponders web site (KP) covering this trial.

As articles are posted, during the trial, I will post the Link back to KP here if LCoastMom won't have time to do so. It is tough to attend a trial all day and especially if there is a long commute time to and from the Court House.

I wish InSesson (Tru-TV) would cover at least part of this trial.

Thanks to Ann and LCoastMom for updating Emma's thread. I was just reading at Katfish Ponders, very interesting. Thank you for the link. It's great to see the dedication in these ladies to see that justice is served for little Emma. Did the trial start 4/25?

Ann - Tx wrote:Hi, LCoastMom!

I had to hunt for this thread. Because there has been no recent activity on this thread, it was not on the front page of Missing/Murdered.

Ann, have you used the search button on the top right of the page? I've used it many times when I've seen an article or update on a case but no one has posted on the thread in a long time. Sad that there's too many to fit on one page.......

OMG Piper. I had never noticed the search button. Thanks for the above post. I wish I had it yesterday when I was hunting for the thread to vote for Yuri. All I had to do was type his name and it popped right up.

You are too smart.