Mother Found Guilty of Manslaughter of Baby Daughter

A mother has been convicted of manslaughter following the tragic death of her three-month-old daughter, Kaylani Kalanzi. The infant was admitted to hospital with severe injuries, including catastrophic brain damage, a broken leg, and fractured ribs. She died 15 days after being hospitalised.

The Old Bailey heard that Kaylani was on the radar of social services even before her birth and had been placed on a child protection plan. Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC described the parents as "selfish and irresponsible," prioritising their abusive relationship over their child's welfare.

Nazli Merthoca, 24, was found guilty of manslaughter, while her partner Herbert Kalanzi, 35, was acquitted of all charges related to Kaylani's death. The jury deliberated for over 15 hours before reaching their verdict. Merthoca was visibly emotional in the dock as she was remanded into custody, with sentencing scheduled for December 15.

During the trial, it was revealed that Merthoca had a history of drug use and was involved in a "mutually abusive relationship" with Kalanzi. Kaylani had been born prematurely and spent 29 days in a special care baby unit before being allowed home on May 13, 2024. Despite social services' involvement, the couple was granted custody after demonstrating they could be responsible parents.

However, the prosecution argued that the couple's troubled relationship made the social services strategy "doomed to fail." On July 8, 2024, the situation escalated when the defendants called emergency services, claiming Kaylani had stopped breathing. Upon arrival, paramedics were not informed that the baby had been violently shaken, which led to significant injuries, including bleeding on the brain.

At Great Ormond Street Hospital, staff noted that Merthoca became distressed when questioned about the incident, suggesting she felt she was being blamed due to her "race and gender." Both defendants denied any wrongdoing, asserting that Kaylani was harmed while staying at Merthoca's grandmother's flat in Homerton, east London. The case highlights serious concerns regarding the welfare of vulnerable children and the effectiveness of social services in protecting them.