Newborn Found Dead on Washing Machine Named; Mother Faces Murder Trial

The newborn daughter of Andrea Skopova, found dead on a washing machine with 33 wounds, has been named Maria Skopova. The formal opening of her inquest heard that the baby suffered 15 separate stab wounds.

Maria died on the day of her birth on August 30 in Holywell Heights, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Her body was discovered wrapped in a towel and a blue bag atop a washing machine in an outhouse. The baby was 37 weeks old at the time of her birth.

Her mother, Andrea Skopova, a 20-year-old Slovak national, along with Peter Horvath Jr., 19, Peter Horvath Sr., 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37, are scheduled to stand trial in April, accused of murdering Maria. A 15-year-old girl, whose identity is protected by law, is also charged with perverting the course of justice.

Sheffield's Medico-Legal Centre heard that the inquest into Maria's death has been adjourned until March 25, pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Senior coroner Tanyka Rawden stated that she would review the evidence gathered to date on that date.

All four adult defendants, who are Slovakian nationals, face additional charges of causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice for allegedly cleaning the crime scene. They have been remanded in custody, as has the 15-year-old girl.

The trial, estimated to last up to seven weeks, is expected to begin on April 12. |

Andrea Skopova presented at a hospital shortly after giving birth. Hospital staff alerted police after determining that the baby was no longer in the womb. Police found the deceased infant in the outhouse after an initial search of the property failed to locate the child. A prosecutor told the court that the father of the baby is not known. Medical staff pronounced Maria dead at the scene.