Four charged with murder after newborn girl found with 33 wounds in Sheffield

A newborn baby girl found dead at a Sheffield property had suffered 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings, a court has heard, as her mother, her boyfriend and his parents were charged with murder.

The infant, known in court only as Baby S, was discovered at a property in Holywell Heights, in the Wincobank area of Sheffield, on Sunday, August 30.

Four Slovakian nationals have been charged with her murder: Andrea Skopova, 20, Peter Horvath Jnr, 19, Peter Horvath Snr, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37. A 15-year-old girl has also been charged in connection with the case but cannot be named because of her age.

Baby found inside an outhouse

Emergency services were initially called following concerns about the safety of an infant at the Holywell Heights address.

Baby S was later found inside an outhouse, wrapped in a towel and placed inside a blue bag on top of a washing machine.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that the baby died from stab wounds. The court heard that the injuries included wounds to her face and torso, both at the front and back of her body.

South Yorkshire Police said the infant was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services.

The circumstances surrounding the death have prompted a major investigation, with officers urging the public not to speculate about what happened or circulate information online while the criminal proceedings continue.

Mother and boyfriend’s parents among those charged

Skopova appeared in court alongside Peter Horvath Jnr, Peter Horvath Snr and Nina Horvathova.

All four adults face three charges: murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, and perverting the course of justice by allegedly taking steps to conceal the killing.

The 15-year-old defendant faces a charge of perverting the course of justice and is protected from identification under UK law.

All five defendants are Slovakian nationals. The prosecution case has not established Peter Horvath Jnr as the father of Baby S, and the baby’s father remains unknown.

Two other women, aged 26 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of murder but have not been charged and remain on bail.

Emotional scenes inside Sheffield Crown Court

The defendants later appeared at Sheffield Crown Court amid tight security.

Seven security guards and other court staff were present, while two Slovak interpreters assisted during the proceedings. Members of the defendants’ families watched from the public gallery.

Skopova and the 15-year-old girl were reported to have sobbed throughout much of the hearing, while members of the family were also visibly distressed.

The emotional atmosphere continued as the defendants left court, with some people in the public gallery in tears.

The case has attracted considerable public attention, and flowers and tributes have been left close to the property where Baby S was found.

Investigation remains ongoing

South Yorkshire Police has described the case as a significant and complex investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward thanked local communities for their support and acknowledged the impact the baby’s death had had on those living in the area.

He also urged members of the public to refrain from posting speculation or information about the case online, stressing that protecting the integrity of the criminal justice process was essential to securing justice for the child.

The court proceedings will now continue while investigators work to establish the full circumstances surrounding Baby S’s death.

Trial set for April 2027

Judge Sarah Wright set a provisional trial date of April 12, 2027, with the case expected to last between six and seven weeks.

The five defendants are due to return to court for another hearing on October 2, 2026, and remain in custody in the meantime.

The murder allegations have not been proved, and all defendants will have the right to a fair trial as the investigation and court process continue.