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Mother who 'lost her temper' and killed three-month-old daughter jailed
A mother who "lost her temper" and killed her three-month-old daughter has been jailed for nine-and-a-half years.
Nazli Merthoca gave birth to Kaylani Kalanzi prematurely, and the newborn had to spend 29 days in hospital before she was allowed home on May 13 2024. But the infant was on social services' radar before she was even born, and had been placed on a child protection plan, the Old Bailey was told.
Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC told jurors that Merthoca was in a "mutually abusive relationship" with the child's father, Herbert Kalanzi. Before they could take custody of the child, the parents had to demonstrate they were fit parents, with Mr Kalanzi agreeing to attend a fatherhood programme.
But Ms Johnson said social services' strategy was "doomed to fail" and the "ever-present risk" to Kaylani became a "fatal reality" on 8 July 2024. The couple called emergency services shortly before 10.30pm, saying Kaylani had stopped breathing, and requesting help at Merthoca's grandmother's flat in Homerton, east London, where they were staying at the time.
When paramedics arrived, Merthoca failed to inform them that Kaylani had been violently shaken, causing bleeding to the brain, damage to her eyes and fractures to her tibia and ribs, the court was told. Admitted with catastrophic brain injuries, as well as a broken leg and ribs, Kaylani died in hospital 15 days later.
Merthoca became upset at being questioned about what happened, and claimed she was being blamed because of her "race and gender.
Amir Nisi
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