A mother sobbed in court as she appeared alongside four other Slovak nationals accused in connection with the death of her newborn daughter, who was allegedly stabbed multiple times and found in an outbuilding in Sheffield.
Andrea Skopova, 20, faces a charge of murdering her baby girl, identified only as Baby S, in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, on a recent Sunday. The five defendants, all Slovakian nationals, are accused either of the murder of Baby S or of offenses connected to her death, including perverting the course of justice.
The court heard that the infant suffered 33 wounds, described as 15 separate stabbings, including injuries to her face and back. The baby's body was discovered on top of a washing machine in an outhouse at an address in the Wincobank area of Sheffield.
Skopova, her boyfriend Peter Horvath Jr., Peter Horvath Sr., and another individual identified as Horvathova, all from Sheffield, are also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice, with allegations that they cleaned the crime scene. A 15-year-old girl, whose identity is protected by law, also appeared in court charged with perverting the course of justice.
All five defendants were present in the glass-fronted dock, observed by 26 family members in the public gallery. Court proceedings were emotional, with Skopova and the 15-year-old girl weeping throughout the hearing. Some family members in the gallery were also visibly distressed.
Judge Sarah Wright scheduled the trial to begin on April 12 of the following year, estimating it would last six to seven weeks. All defendants were remanded in custody, with the next hearing set for October 2.
Prosecutor Luke Hopkinson informed Sheffield Magistrates Court that Skopova is the baby's mother. The father is unknown. Skopova is the girlfriend of Peter Horvath Jr., who is the son of Peter Horvath Sr. and Horvathova. Mr. Hopkinson stated that Horvath Jr. is not believed to be the father.
Baby S was found wrapped in a towel inside a blue bag in an outbuilding. Two women, aged 26 and 37, who had been arrested on suspicion of murder, have been released on bail.
