Inquest names newborn Maria Skopova as court hears she suffered 15 stabbings
Maria Skopova, a newborn who died on the day she was born in Sheffield, was named at the opening of her inquest. The inquest has been adjourned while criminal proceedings continue, and her mother and three other adults are accused of murder.
Maria was born at 37 weeks on 30 August and was later found dead, wrapped in a towel and blue bag, on a washing machine in an outhouse. The court heard she had 33 wounds from 15 stabbings. A 15-year-old is separately charged with perverting the course of justice; the adults also face charges relating to the child’s death and alleged cleaning of the scene. A trial expected to last up to seven weeks is due to begin on 12 April, and the inquest will be reviewed on 25 March.
- Newborn Maria Skopova was named at the opening of her inquest.
- The inquest is adjourned until 25 March amid criminal proceedings.
- Her mother and three adults face murder charges; trial is due in April.
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Maria Skopova was a newborn who died on the day she was born in Sheffield in August. She had been born prematurely at 37 weeks and was discovered dead later that same day.
Her death is being investigated through an inquest, which is a legal process to establish the facts of how and why someone died. Separately, criminal proceedings are underway against four adults, including Maria's mother, who are all accused of murder.
A 15-year-old has been separately charged in connection with the case. The adults also face allegations they attempted to interfere with the investigation. A trial is scheduled to begin in April and is expected to last several weeks.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Newborn baby girl whose body was found on top of washing machine is named as inquest hears of 33 wounds from 15 stabbings while mother faces murder trial”.