A woman has admitted fatally stabbing a seven-year-old girl in front of her horrified family as she played on her scooter in a park.
Eltiona Skana pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Emily Jones who was attacked on March 22 as the family celebrated Mother's Day in Greater Manchester.
The 30-year-old struck little Emily in the neck with a knife causing a catastrophic injury before she was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital.
The youngster was tragically pronounced dead a short time later despite the best efforts of medics who battled to save her.
An inquest earlier this year heard how Emily’s parents, Mark Jones and solicitor Sarah Barnes, were with the youngster at Queen’s Park in Bolton.
The hearing was told how Emily was targeted as she rode past a wooden bench when a female leapt up from it and attacked her.
Skana was arrested on suspicion of Emily's murder and detained under the Mental Health Act in a high-security mental health facility ever since.
She appeared at Manchester Crown Court via video link from Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire and was accompanied by a member of her legal team.
Skana, originally from Albania, but living in Ernest Street, Bolton, pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of the murder of the youngster.
Prosecuting lawyers now have seven days to consider the plea.
A trial on the count of murder is scheduled to begin on November 23.
At the time of her death, her heartbroken parents said little Emily was the "light" of their lives.
They said: "Emily was seven-years-old, our only child and the light of our lives.
"She was always full of joy, love and laughter.
"Emily had such a cheeky smile and was beautiful inside and out. She had a heart as big as her smile."
