Mother, 42, Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter After Daughter, 2, Is Found 'Unresponsive' in Pond Near Family Home By Becca Longmire

A British mother has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after her 2-year-old daughter was found unresponsive in a pond close to their home.

On Monday, July 28, Alice Mackey, 42, “admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility at Winchester Crown Court” following the September 2023 death of her daughter Annabel, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said in a release.

Authorities added that Mackey had “been remanded into custody to appear at Winchester Crown Court on 6 October 2025 for another hearing prior to sentencing.”

Monday’s court admission comes almost two years after police responded to a report that a toddler “had gone missing from her home” in the small village of Oakhanger, Hampshire, just after 5 p.m. local time on Sept. 10, 2023.

“Annabel was found a short time later, unresponsive, at Kingsley Pond. She was taken to the hospital in a serious condition, where she died on the afternoon of Monday, 11 September,” police stated in the release.

“Detectives from the Major Crime Team, carried out the investigation into Annabel’s death and her movements before she was located at Kingsley Pond,” the post added.

The pond was approximately 350 yards away from Annabel’s home. Police previously confirmed to PEOPLE that the suspect, who was charged with murder in March, is the mother of the victim.

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Annabel’s father paid tribute to his little girl in a statement shared via police in March, per a separate news release, which since appears to have been deleted.

“Annabel was a beautiful, positive and very happy little girl,” his message read. “She had an incredibly pure and caring nature that we miss so much. She loved story time, dogs and her dolly. She enjoyed singing songs and nursery rhymes and had a very sweet tooth.”

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“Annabel loved to laugh, she brought so much happiness into our lives,” the tribute added. “She was dearly loved by her family and friends. Thank you to everyone who was a positive influence in her life. Please continue Annabel’s legacy by remembering her and caring for others as much as she did.”

“The world needs more people like Annabel to spread positivity and kindness,” Annabel’s father continued. “Annabel, I love you so much, you are a shining star and you will be loved forever x.”

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. The U.K.’s Courts and Tribunals Judiciary declined to comment.