Woman found guilty of killing baby daughter

A woman has been convicted of killing her three-month old baby daughter, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Nazli Merthoca, 24 (19.01.2001), of Homerton High Street, Hackney, was convicted of manslaughter by a jury at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 14 October. Her partner, Herbert Kalanzi, 35 (02.06.1990), of Ranelagh Road, Newham, was cleared of murder, manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child. This was in connection with the death of their daughter, Kaylani Kalanzi.

Kaylani died in Great Ormond Street Hospital on Tuesday, 23 July, 2024. The trial heard she had suffered traumatic brain injuries weeks prior after being shaken by Merthoca,

Detective Inspector John Marriott, from Specialist Crime North - who led the investigation - said: “Merthoca carried out a horrific assault on her own child. To add insult, she then spun a web of lies to the emergency services in order to cover up her responsibility.

“Though Kaylani’s life was cut short by this hideous abuse, there were relatives who loved and cared for her. They have been left traumatised by her killing, and our thoughts are with them at this time.

“Investigators compiled extensive digital evidence, which, coupled with overwhelming medical evidence, painted a damning picture of the defendant at trial.

“Offences against children – especially of this gravity – are some of the most difficult cases police deal with. The evidence here was particularly harrowing and complex, and I would like to commend the investigation team for their work bringing Merthoca to justice.”

Around 22:30hrs on Monday, 8 July, 2024, paramedics attended an address in Homerton High Street. Merthoca, who was living at the property, had called 999, claiming her baby daughter, Kaylani, had stopped breathing. The infant was found in critical condition, and was taken to Homerton hospital.

Police were alerted by staff at the hospital, after scans revealed Kaylani had suffered extensive brain damage consistent with physical abuse. On Tuesday, 9 July, officers attended the family home, where they arrested Merthoca on suspicion of attempted murder.

In an exchange captured on body-worn video, Merthoca became visibly irate with the arresting officers. While being processed in police custody, she threatened to leave the country if released on bail.

In her initial police interviews, Merthoca maintained that Kaylani became unwell while she was caring for her, ultimately slipping into unconsciousness. She denied that any assault had taken place. Merthoca was remanded in custody.

On Tuesday, 9 July, Kaylani was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Despite the best efforts of staff, her condition deteriorated over subsequent weeks. A decision was made to remove life support, and, around 18:00hrs on Tuesday, 23 July, she was pronounced dead.

A specialist postmortem carried out on Tuesday, 30 July, confirmed that Kaylani had died due to blunt force trauma – a finding which contradicted her mother’s account at police interview. Investigators’ suspicions of foul play were confirmed by the forensic pathologist, who found that Kaylani’s injuries could only have arisen from severe shaking.

Merthoca’s devices were seized by police, and a digital search revealed a pattern of toxic and abusive behaviour. This was subsequently produced as evidence in court.

Merthoca will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Monday, 15 December.