Drugged British Bangladeshi Mother Guilty of Manslaughter in 3-Month-Old Baby's Killing

Nazil Merthocar is confirmed to be British Bangladeshi by the Daily Dazzling Dawn, although the lineage—whether the connection stems from his mother or father—remains unverified.A pall of profound sorrow hangs over East London as the Old Bailey jury convicted Nazil Merthoca, a 24-year-old British Bangladeshi mother, of manslaughter in the death of her three-month-old daughter, Kaylani Kalanzi. While cleared of the most severe charge of murder, the conviction confirms a horrific truth: a young life was tragically extinguished by the very person meant to protect her.

The trial laid bare a deeply disturbing domestic environment. Prosecutors confirmed that Merthoca "had consumed drugs" and was locked in a "mutually abusive relationship" with her partner, Herbert Kalanzi. A digital search of Merthoca’s devices further revealed a pattern of "toxic and abusive behaviour." This dark background formed the volatile backdrop to the events of July 8, 2024, when Merthoca called 999 claiming her baby had stopped breathing.

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Kaylani, who had been born prematurely and was already on a child protection plan—a heartbreaking indication that she was known to social services from birth—was rushed to hospital. Doctors discovered catastrophic injuries: the infant had suffered traumatic brain injuries consistent with being violently shaken, a broken leg, and broken ribs. Kaylani died 15 days later on July 23, 2024. The jury concluded Merthoca was solely responsible for the fatal assault. Her partner, Herbert Kalanzi (35), was cleared of all charges, including murder and manslaughter.

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The details of this case resonate painfully within the wider East London community. Incidents of severe violence, particularly within families struggling with complex social issues, have created deep trauma. The tragic death of Kaylani is a stark symbol of the ongoing crisis of domestic violence and drug abuse in the area. The British Bangladeshi community, especially concentrated in boroughs like Tower Hamlets, has struggled with high-profile tragedies, including recent domestic killings. Just in the last two years, several Bangladeshi women have been killed by their own son, husbands, and brother in East London, with cases involving a mother being fatally stabbed in Bethnal Green, another mother killed by her British Bangladeshi son, and a brother killed by his own brother in Tower Hamlets.

Reza Ahmed Faisal Chowdhury, President of the UK Bangla Press Club, told to Daily Dazzling Dawn on Wednesday morning "These heartbreaking incidents bring the critical issue of family violence into sharp relief and emphasize the urgent necessity of providing support for vulnerable families as they tackle complex challenges, including addiction, mental health struggles, and domestic conflict."

Nazil Merthoca (DOB: 19.01.2001), of East Ham and formerly of Hackney, was visibly distraught as she was remanded into custody. She will return to the Old Bailey to receive her sentence on December 2025.