A mother has been convicted of killing her seven-week-old baby daughter by causing severe head injuries before going to purchase a lottery ticket and then seeking medical help. Sarah Ngaba, aged 32, acknowledged that she inflicted serious and life-threatening harm on Eliza Ngaba but denied the charge of murder, claiming she was guilty of infanticide instead.
Following a three-day trial at Birmingham Crown Court, a jury deliberated for nine and a half hours before reaching a majority verdict of 10 to two, finding Ngaba guilty of Eliza’s murder. The presiding judge, Mrs. Justice Brunner KC, announced that Ngaba would be sentenced on June 12.
During the trial, it was revealed that Ngaba, previously residing in Briarwood, Brookside, Telford, Shropshire, had previously been convicted of causing severe harm to her child, leaving Eliza profoundly disabled. Ngaba faced murder charges after Eliza, a London-born child, passed away at the age of two in August 2022 due to a respiratory infection, a consequence of the earlier assault in November 2019.
Evidence presented in court indicated that Eliza’s injuries resulted from forceful shaking and a significant impact to the head, resulting in a complex skull fracture. Ngaba was observed taking a bath, purchasing a lottery ticket, and only then taking Eliza to the hospital in a taxi on November 13, 2019.
Prosecution counsel, Jonas Hankin KC, highlighted that a witness who saw Eliza via video call noticed the baby shaking in the morning of the assault. Despite being advised to seek immediate medical help, Ngaba chose to bathe first and delayed calling for an ambulance. She eventually took a taxi to the hospital, showing no signs of urgency or concern for her baby’s well-being.
Subsequent video evidence captured Ngaba leaving her residence, buying a lottery ticket, and obtaining cashback before heading to the hospital, where she displayed a calm demeanor. Witnesses described Ngaba as detached and more worried about housing matters than her baby’s critical medical situation.
The prosecutor emphasized the sequence of events as crucial, suggesting that Ngaba’s actions demonstrated a lack of urgency or concern for her daughter’s welfare, contradicting the notion of a sudden disturbance of mind. The jury’s verdict was praised by Mrs. Justice Brunner, who commended their dedication and seriousness in handling the case.
The judge also acknowledged Eliza’s foster parents for their dignified presence throughout the trial, noting their love and care for the child. Ngaba was informed that she would face a life sentence for the crime.