Five people have been charged in connection with the death of a newborn baby girl in Sheffield, who was found to have died from stab wounds. South Yorkshire Police were called to a property in Holywell Heights, Wincobank, at approximately 6 a.m. on Sunday following a report expressing concerns for the baby's safety.
Paramedics attended the scene but the infant was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination later confirmed the cause of death as stab wounds.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that Andrea Skopova, 20, Peter Horvath, 19, Peter Horvath, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37, have each been charged with murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, and perverting the course of justice by attempting to conceal the infant's killing. A 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces a charge of perverting the course of justice.
All five defendants have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates' Court. The CPS stated that prosecutors have determined there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the case and that pursuing criminal proceedings is in the public interest.
Police maintained a presence at the property, a rented smart home in the Wincobank area, while forensic teams conducted their examination.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward acknowledged the distress caused by the incident, stating that all involved, from first responders to investigators, have felt the profound impact. He affirmed the commitment to confronting challenges and pursuing all lines of inquiry to secure justice for the baby girl.
Neighbors described the occupants of the house as a Slovakian family who had moved in approximately eight months prior. One neighbor commented that there were often as many as twelve people, including adults and children, in the relatively small home. This neighbor also stated she had not noticed a pregnant woman at the address and claimed the occupants had left before police arrived on Sunday morning. Another resident described knowing the family only casually, referring to them as Slovakian and noting they would come and go at all hours.
The CPS reminded the public that legal proceedings are active and that all defendants are entitled to a fair trial, urging against any reporting or online commentary that could prejudice the proceedings.