Mother guilty of killing baby daughter who suffered catastrophic brain injuries
A mother has been found guilty of violently shaking her three-month-old daughter to death, causing catastrophic brain injuries.
Kaylani Kalanzi, who was known for social services before she was born, was hospitalized with a blow to her head on July 8, 2024.
He also suffered a broken leg and ribs, and despite the best efforts of hospital staff, he died 15 days later at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
His mother, Nazlı Merhoca, 24, was found guilty of manslaughter at the Old Bailey after being acquitted of the more serious charge of murder.
Her partner, Herbert Kalani, was acquitted of causing or allowing Kaylani’s death after he was acquitted of killing Kaylani upon the judge’s instructions.
The court heard Kaylani was placed in a child protection plan and her parents were “selfish and irresponsible” and put their abusive relationship ahead of their baby’s needs.
After being born prematurely, he spent 29 days in North MIddlesex Hospital’s special care baby unit before he was allowed to return home on May 13.
His parents were granted custody after demonstrating to social services that they would be suitable parents.
This included Mr. Kalazi agreeing to take part in a program called Caring Dad, which aims to engage fathers to improve the safety of their children.
But jurors heard the “ever-present risk” for Kaylani became a “deadly reality” when emergency services were called shortly before 10.30pm on July 8 to report that Kaylani had stopped breathing.
The court was told when paramedics arrived Merthoca failed to inform them that Kaylani had been shaken, causing bleeding to the brain, damage to her eyes and fractures to her tibia and ribs.
Staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital said Merthoca was uncomfortable being questioned about what had happened and claimed she was being blamed because of her “race and gender”.
An expert autopsy confirmed Kaylani died from blunt force trauma; this was a finding that contradicted his mother’s statement, saying that her injuries could only have been caused by severe shaking.
Messages that appeared on WhatsApp and Snapchat after their arrest revealed the extent of their volatile relationship.
Kalanzi texted Merthoca on June 17, 2024, complaining about the lockout and said: “Who do you think you are?”
When Merthoca said she would call the police, Kalanzi called her a “stupid” and responded: “If you go to the police, you will lose everything. It is not our place to act socially in domestic matters.”
She also accused Kalazi of harming her daughters, telling him: “You injured Kaylani’s eye. Wow I’m reporting this. Give her a black eye. And gave her blood.”
According to jurors, a Snapchat video taken in the early hours showed Kaylani lying on a mat with a visible eye injury.
Both defendants denied harming Kaylani at Merthoca’s grandmother’s flat in Homerton, east London, where the family was staying at the time.
Merthoca wiped her tears in the defendant’s chair while she was taken into custody to be sentenced on December 15.
Detective Inspector John Marriott, of Specialist Crime North, who is investigating, said: “Merthoca carried out a horrific attack on his own child. He then spun a web of lies to emergency services to cover up his responsibility.
“Although Kaylani’s life was cut short by this heinous abuse, there were relatives who loved and cared for her. They are traumatized by her murder, and our thoughts are with them at this time.”
“Investigators compiled extensive digital evidence, combined with overwhelming medical evidence, that painted a damning picture of the defendant at trial.
“Crimes against children – especially of this seriousness – are some of the most difficult cases the police deal with. The evidence here was particularly harrowing and complex and I would like to congratulate the investigation team for their work in bringing Merthoca to justice.”
