Kaylani Kalanzi, a three-month-old infant in east London, tragically died after suffering catastrophic brain injuries from being violently shaken.
The baby also had a broken leg and ribs and passed away in hospital 15 days after admission.
The parents, Herbert Kalanzi, 35, and Nazli Merthoca, 24, are charged with murder and causing or allowing her death.
The court heard the couple maintained a mutually abusive relationship, with drug use exacerbating the environment, rendering Kaylani vulnerable.
Social services were involved in the family’s life and had placed Kaylani on a child protection plan due to concerns.
Despite this, her injuries escalated.
Evidence presented includes WhatsApp and Snapchat messages revealing volatile exchanges, reports of prior injuries such as a black eye, and the couple’s failure to disclose the violent shaking to emergency responders.
Medical experts ruled out accidental injury, focusing on identifying which parent inflicted the fatal harm.
The prosecution pointed out the defendants’ attempts to protect themselves contrasted starkly with their failure to protect Kaylani.
The trial remains ongoing, with the jury tasked to determine the responsible party among the two.
The case highlights grave issues relating to child safeguarding and the tragic consequences of parental neglect and abuse.
The baby also had a broken leg and ribs and passed away in hospital 15 days after admission.
The parents, Herbert Kalanzi, 35, and Nazli Merthoca, 24, are charged with murder and causing or allowing her death.
The court heard the couple maintained a mutually abusive relationship, with drug use exacerbating the environment, rendering Kaylani vulnerable.
Social services were involved in the family’s life and had placed Kaylani on a child protection plan due to concerns.
Despite this, her injuries escalated.
Evidence presented includes WhatsApp and Snapchat messages revealing volatile exchanges, reports of prior injuries such as a black eye, and the couple’s failure to disclose the violent shaking to emergency responders.
Medical experts ruled out accidental injury, focusing on identifying which parent inflicted the fatal harm.
The prosecution pointed out the defendants’ attempts to protect themselves contrasted starkly with their failure to protect Kaylani.
The trial remains ongoing, with the jury tasked to determine the responsible party among the two.
The case highlights grave issues relating to child safeguarding and the tragic consequences of parental neglect and abuse.
