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The devastating conclusion of a case that shook East London reveals new insights into the systemic oversight and the final harrowing moments of a three-month-old infant at the hands of her mother.
The final chapter in the tragic life of three-month-old Kaylani Kalanzi has been documented at the Old Bailey, where the true extent of the violence she suffered has come to light. Nazli Merthoca, a 24-year-old mother of mixed British-Bangladeshi heritage, is now serving a sentence of nine years and six months for the manslaughter of her daughter. While the conviction occurred in late 2025, the full publication of the judge's sentencing remarks provides a harrowing look at the "horrific assault" and the "web of lies" that followed.
Medical Evidence of Extreme Force
Detailed forensic evidence, which was pivotal to the prosecution’s case, confirmed that Kaylani died from a catastrophic head injury. The forensic pathologist, Dr. Cary, drew together findings from various disciplines to illustrate the hallmarks of "shaking and/or impact type" injuries. These included "multifocal thin-film subdural haemorrhages" and "extensive bilateral findings in the eyes," such as retinal detachment and optic nerve haemorrhages. Furthermore, the infant suffered posterior rib fractures described as typical of "squeezing from side-to-side" with "moderate force," as well as "lesions in the leg caused by pulling and twisting the bones around the joint." The court heard that such injuries would require a level of force described as "shaking as hard as you could," making respiratory arrest "pretty much immediate."
Aggression and Obstruction at the Scene
The moments following the assault were marked by a disturbing lack of cooperation. When emergency services arrived at the Homerton flat on 8 July 2024, Merthoca was described as "aggressive and obstructive towards the ambulance crew." Despite the life-threatening situation, she began "filming them on her telephone" and "threatened to call the police" on the paramedics. When it became clear Kaylani was in cardiac arrest, Merthoca reportedly shouted that the service "should have arrived with sufficient resources" rather than providing an accurate history of the child’s injuries. The court noted that she initially "spun a web of lies," claiming the baby had simply stopped breathing after a feed, a claim later debunked by the "overwhelming medical evidence."
Systemic Failures and Personal History
Kaylani was born prematurely on 4 April 2024, one of a set of twins, and was "the subject of a child protection plan at the time of her death." Social services had been involved due to concerns that Merthoca and her partner were "mutually abusive" and there was "potential drug use." Merthoca herself had a history of violence, with three previous convictions covering four offences, including an assault at age 16 and a battery offence at age 18. Despite these warnings, she remained the primary caregiver. Judge Mark Lucraft KC highlighted that the offence took place in a "position of trust which is abused," noting that Merthoca had smoked cannabis just hours before the fatal incident.
The Burden of Responsibility
In passing the sentence, the judge addressed Merthoca directly, stating, "You will have to live with the knowledge that you killed your own daughter." The court heard that while Merthoca suffered from "highly complex" mental health issues and a history of trauma, these did not excuse the high culpability of her actions. The impact of the death continues to be felt by Kaylani’s surviving twin sister and wider family members. Detective Inspector John Marriott told journalists that the investigation was "particularly harrowing," but the digital and medical evidence eventually provided a "damning picture" that ensured justice was served for a child who never had a chance to defend herself.
