Kevin Kerjean, 31, appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Saturday, where he faced charges including murder, rape of a child under 13, and sexual assault of a child under 13. He was born in the Central African Republic and has been remanded in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for September 14.
Surrey Police responded to reports of a concern for safety at an address in Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey, on Thursday evening. Upon arrival, officers discovered the two-year-old victim, who has since been confirmed by police as Kerjean's daughter, was already deceased.
"This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the child's mother and extended family, as well as all those who knew her," said Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen. "Our teams are working hard to build a picture of what happened, and a significant police presence will remain in Pyrcroft Road over the coming days." Police are asking for anyone with information, including dashcam or CCTV footage from around the time of the incident, to contact them directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
The Home Office confirmed that Kerjean entered the UK in December 2020 and applied for European Union Settled Status. He was granted leave to remain in March 2021 and received an extension that permits him to stay until March 2031. Police have stated that contrary to some online commentary, Kerjean was not an asylum seeker living in a house of multiple occupation.
Authorities believe the alleged offenses occurred within a family setting. The investigation is ongoing. Bouquets of flowers were placed outside a nearby flat complex on Friday, with local residents expressing shock and sadness at the event.