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Four people have been charged with murder after a newborn baby girl was found stabbed to death at a property in the Wincobank area of Sheffield, as a fifth suspect, aged 15, was charged with perverting the course of justice. South Yorkshire Police found the child on Sunday morning after receiving reports concerning the safety of a newborn baby, while a post-mortem examination later concluded that she died from stab wounds.
Despite efforts by police officers and paramedics at the scene, the baby was pronounced dead. The discovery has prompted a major criminal investigation, with the Crown Prosecution Service authorising charges against four adults and a teenager.
Police were called to a property in Holywell Heights, in the north of Sheffield, on Sunday morning following reports raising concerns for the safety of a newborn child.
Officers and emergency medical teams attended the address, but the baby could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A forensic post-mortem examination carried out on Monday subsequently established that the newborn girl had died as a result of stab wounds.
The finding formed a central part of the investigation into the child's death, which has now resulted in multiple criminal charges.
The Crown Prosecution Service said four people had been charged following the police investigation.
Andrea Skopova, 20, of Robey Street, Sheffield, and Peter Horvath Jnr, 19, have each been charged with murder.
Peter Horvath Snr, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37, both of Holywell Heights, have also been charged.
All four defendants face charges of murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, and perverting the course of justice. The latter allegation relates to claims that steps were taken to conceal the killing of an infant.
A 15-year-old girl, who cannot be identified because of legal restrictions relating to her age, has separately been charged with perverting the course of justice.
Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that the teenage defendant must remain anonymous under the applicable legal protections for children involved in criminal proceedings.
Crown Prosecution Service said the decision to bring charges followed a police investigation into the death of the newborn child.
Lauren Costello, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said the prosecution decision concerned four individuals accused of murder following the investigation into the death of a newborn baby girl in Sheffield's Wincobank area.
She added that a fifth individual had been charged with perverting the course of justice.
The decision by prosecutors marks a significant development in the investigation, although the criminal proceedings remain at an early stage.
The four adult defendants have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old girl also faces separate criminal proceedings in connection with the allegation of perverting the course of justice.
The court appearance is expected to formally begin the next stage of the legal process. At this stage, the allegations have not been tested at trial, and the defendants are entitled to a fair hearing as the case proceeds through the courts.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the newborn baby's death may emerge during future court hearings, subject to reporting restrictions and directions issued by the judiciary.
The death of the newborn girl has shocked the local area and remains the subject of an extensive investigation.
Police and prosecutors will now continue with the legal process as the case moves through the courts. Daily Dazzling Dawn understands that further information may be made public through official court proceedings, although strict legal and reporting restrictions may apply, particularly in relation to the 15-year-old defendant.
The defendants have been charged, but the charges remain allegations unless and until they are proved in court. All those accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
