Mother Who Drowned 4-Year-Old Daughter Before Burning Her Body Found “Not Guilty”

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A Mother who reportedly drowned her fou4r-year-old daughter in the bath and placed her on a coffee table before she set her body alight to make her a “human sacrifice” was found not guilty of murder.

38-Year-Old Carly Ann Harris was accused of murdering Amelia Brooke Harris at the family home in Trealaw, Tonypandy on June 8, but a jury cleared her of murder by reason of insanity.

The woman was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and she has been sectioned to a psychiatric hospital indefinitely.

The jury returned a “special verdict” after they heard from psychiatrists – appearing for both the prosecution and defence – agreed Harris was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.

Kate Brunner, said: “In taking her daughter’s life she destroyed her own life and brought unimaginable horror to her friends and family.

“She is profoundly remorseful and I invite the court to reflect that.”

Prosecuting, Michael Jones said: “Amelia was four years old when she was killed.

“On that day, Carly Ann Harris placed Amelia in a bath full of water and deliberately drowned her.

“She placed her body on a coffee table situated in the garden and then set fire to Amelia’s body.”

The court heard that the Mother told cops who found the 4-year-old’s charred body under a sheet on a coffee table in the garden the angels told her to do so.

The jury was told that Harris believed she had to kill her child in order to protect her and save the world.

Dr Arden Tomison, who’s a forensic consultant psychologist that examined the Mother last month, told jurors that she still believed there had been a “terrible mistake” and people “misunderstood her”.

The doctor added: “She was still delusional and still suffering from a psychotic illness. She knew that’s what people thought but she couldn’t quite get that.

“She was very sure she had been instructed by God. I am clear in my mind that she was driven to this by her own belief system.”

Dr Tomison also said to the court that he believed Harris developed her mental illness around two months before she killed Amelia after she told him she was possessed by the spirit of an angel during Passover.

Harris reportedly told cops who found the 4-year-old’s charred body under a sheet on a coffee table in the garden “I’m a monster“.

When she was taken to the police station, she allegedly said: “I deserve to die. What the f***? My little girl. The angels said it must be done.”

The jury was told neighbour Megan Griffiths heard a raised voice saying “mummy, mummy, mummy” before they heard screaming and found Harris standing in the front garden.

She told them: “God will be with her. The angels have taken her.”

They then went into the back garden and found the little girl’s charred body.

Absolutely Heartbreaking!

Images: Wales News Services