Three-month-old Kaylani Kalanzi was rushed to hospital with severe injuries after being “violently shaken” last July, resulting in catastrophic brain injuries as well as broken bones
Nazli Merthoca arrested for killing three-month-old daughter Kaylani Kalanzi
A three-month-old baby was killed by her mum after “hideous abuse”.
Little Kaylani Kalanzi was on a child protection plan at the time of her death after being admitted to hospital on July 8, 2024, having been violently shaken. She suffered catastrophic brain injuries as well as a broken leg and ribs, and died 15 days later.
Kaylani’s mum Nazli Merthoca, 24, was convicted of manslaughter earlier this week at the Old Bailey, whereas the child’s father, Herbert Kalanzi, 35, was found not guilty. Opening their trial earlier this month, prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC said the defendants were in a “mutually abusive relationship”, with Ms Merthoca using drugs.
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Detective Inspector John Marriott, from Specialist Crime North – who led the investigation – said: “Merthoca carried out a horrific assault on her own child. To add insult, she then spun a web of lies to the emergency services in order to cover up her responsibility.
“Though Kaylani’s life was cut short by this hideous abuse, there were relatives who loved and cared for her. They have been left traumatised by her killing, and our thoughts are with them at this time.
“Investigators compiled extensive digital evidence, which, coupled with overwhelming medical evidence, painted a damning picture of the defendant at trial.
“Offences against children – especially of this gravity – are some of the most difficult cases police deal with. The evidence here was particularly harrowing and complex, and I would like to commend the investigation team for their work bringing Merthoca to justice.”
In the weeks before her death, Kaylani suffered an injury to her right eye, which Ms Merthoca blamed Mr Kalanzi for, although she changed her account when she spoke to medics, the court was told. Mr Kalanzi always denied being responsible for the injury, claiming it was an accident.
Ms Johnson said: “In itself the eye injury was minor but it is a graphic example of the defendants’ inability to care properly for Kaylani and their failure to take action to protect her from harm and remove her from danger.
“On 8 July 2024 the ever-present risk to Kaylani became a fatal reality.” That evening, both parents were caring for their daughter but their accounts differ, jurors were told.
They both deny causing Kaylani’s injuries, at Ms Merthoca’s grandmother’s flat in Homerton, Hackney, east London, where the family was staying.
On Monday July 8, Merthoca had called 999, claiming her baby daughter, Kaylani, had stopped breathing. The infant was found in critical condition, and was taken to Homerton hospital. Hospital staff later told police that scans revealed Kaylani had suffered extensive brain damage consistent with physical abuse.
The following day, Merthoca was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. In an exchange captured on body-worn video, Merthoca became visibly irate with the arresting officers. While being processed in police custody, she threatened to leave the country if released on bail.
In her initial police interviews, Merthoca maintained that Kaylani became unwell while she was caring for her, ultimately slipping into unconsciousness. She denied that any assault had taken place. Merthoca was remanded in custody.
Meanwhile, Kaylani was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Despite the best efforts of staff, her condition deteriorated over subsequent weeks. A decision was made to remove life support, and, she died at about 6pm on Tuesday July 23.
A specialist postmortem carried out on July 30 confirmed that Kaylani had died due to blunt force trauma – a finding which contradicted her mother’s account at police interview. Investigators’ suspicions of foul play were confirmed by the forensic pathologist, who found that Kaylani’s injuries could only have arisen from severe shaking.
Merthoca’s devices were seized by police, and a digital search revealed a pattern of toxic and abusive behaviour. This was subsequently produced as evidence in court.
Merthoca will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Monday, 15 December.
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