Baby’s father ‘in kitchen making formula when mother threw her out of window’
The court heard that the father of a girl was preparing baby food in the kitchen of a third-floor flat when she was allegedly thrown out of the window by her mother.
Mary fell from the casement window of the property in Westminster, central London, on Saturday.
His mother, Zahira Byjaouane, 43, appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court on Monday and spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address.
He was scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday charged with murder but was unable to attend the hearing.
Prosecutor Philip McGhee said the defendant’s husband called 999 at 7.30am on Saturday to report a child had fallen out of a window.
Flowers and a stuffed animal left near the Peabody Manor building on Horseferry Road – Lucy North/PA
The London Ambulance Service and police arrived at the scene within minutes and found Mary lying on a concrete surface between the block of flats and a high metal railing on Great Peter Street.
According to the court, the 18-day-old baby was taken to hospital in critical condition, fell about 10 meters and died of a skull fracture at 9 am.
It was stated that the father was preparing baby food in the kitchen at the time of the incident.
Mr McGhee said the husband ran outside and tried unsuccessfully to reach Mary, then returned inside and called 999.
Police block road in Westminster where 18-day-old girl died – Lucy North/PA
Police entered the flat and found Ms. Byjaouane sitting on the bed.
He was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and charged with murder the next day.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC set a timetable for the case, with a plea hearing on June 3 and a 10-day provisional hearing from February 15, 2027.
The judge decided to arrest the defendant.
