Mum admits murdering daughter by smothering her with towel halfway through trial
A JILTED mother who killed her two-year-old daughter after sending the girl’s father a final picture of her is facing life in jail.
Cody-Anne Jackson, 20, had denied smothering toddler Macey Hogan, claiming she woke to find her lifeless in bed.
But she dramatically changed her plea today and admitted murder on the sixth day of her trial.
She now faces a mandatory life sentence.
Sorry, just thought you deserved one last picture and memory of her
Jackson, then 19, killed her daughter in revenge after Paul Hogan walked out on her.
Mr Hogan left the family home in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, days before the murder on October 10 last year.
After a string of angry texts, Jackson sent Mr Hogan a final photograph of their little girl.
She wrote to him: “Sorry, just thought you deserved one last picture and memory of her.”
Jackson smothered Macey with a towel or cloth, Stafford Crown Court heard, and then stabbed herself with two knives in an apparent suicide attempt.
Police and paramedics smashed their way into her home after Jackson dialled 999 but the little girl had been dead for at least half an hour.
Jackson had denied murder, saying she took Macey into her bed after she failed to settle.
She insisted she woke up to find Macey lying lifeless between two pillows beside her and had stabbed herself because she could not live without her.
Jackson was described in court as socially isolated, with a history of self-harming.
Jonas Hankin, QC, prosecuting said the relationship had reached “a tipping point” on the weekend of October 8 to 9.
He said: “She was forced to confront the reality of being on her own. It was clear Cody felt angry and frustrated.”
Detective Inspector Dan Ison said: “Our first thoughts are with Macey and members of her family following this tragic case.
“We welcome this guilty plea, albeit during the trial, but nothing can ever replace Macey.”
Mr Hogan was too upset to comment. Jackson was remanded in custody will be sentenced on July 27.