Mother and Four Others Appear in Court Over Death of Newborn Baby in Sheffield

Andrea Skopova, 20, broke down in court as she appeared alongside four other defendants in connection with the death of her newborn daughter, known in court as Baby S.

The infant was found dead at a property on Holywell Heights in the Wincobank area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, on Sunday, August 30. A forensic post-mortem later established that the baby died from stab wounds.

The case has now moved to Sheffield Crown Court, where four adults and a 15-year-old girl appeared as the investigation continues.

Four adults charged with murder

Skopova is charged with murder alongside Peter Horvath, 19; Peter Horvath, 38; and Nina Horvathova, 37.

The four adults are also accused of causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice, with prosecutors alleging that steps were taken to conceal the killing of the infant.

A fifth defendant, a 15-year-old girl who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces a charge of perverting the course of justice.

All five defendants are Slovakian nationals.

During their appearance at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, September 3, the defendants spoke only to confirm their identities and did not enter pleas. They were remanded in custody until their next hearing on October 2.

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

Baby S suffered 33 injuries

Details of the infant’s injuries were previously outlined at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutors said Baby S suffered 33 injuries, including 15 separate stab wounds to her face and torso, affecting both the front and back of her body.

The court was also told that the baby was wrapped in a towel and placed inside a blue bag before being found on top of a washing machine in an outhouse at the property.

The post-mortem examination confirmed that stab wounds were the cause of death. Police had initially been called to the property after receiving concerns about the safety of a newborn baby. Despite the efforts of officers and paramedics, the infant was pronounced dead at the scene.

Skopova identified as the baby’s mother

Prosecutor Luke Hopkinson told the court that Skopova is Baby S’s mother.

Skopova is also the girlfriend of Peter Horvath Jnr. The 19-year-old is the son of Peter Horvath Snr and Nina Horvathova. The court heard that Peter Horvath Jnr is not believed to be the baby’s father.

The defendants were watched from the public gallery by 26 members of their family during the Crown Court hearing.

Police investigation remains ongoing

The case follows a major investigation by South Yorkshire Police, which began after officers were called to Holywell Heights in the early hours of August 30.

Seven people aged between 15 and 37 were initially arrested on suspicion of murder. Two — a 26-year-old woman and a 37-year-old woman — have since been released on bail, while the five defendants now before the court remain in custody.

Specialist officers have continued working at the scene as detectives seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the baby’s death.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward previously described the investigation as complex and urged people not to speculate while officers worked to establish what happened.

Flowers and tributes have also been left close to the property on Holywell Heights as the community reacts to the death of the newborn girl.

CPS warns against prejudicing the proceedings

Lauren Costello, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said prosecutors had decided to prosecute four people for murder following the police investigation, with a fifth person charged with perverting the course of justice.

She said prosecutors had worked with South Yorkshire Police to establish that there was sufficient evidence to bring the case before the courts and that pursuing criminal proceedings was in the public interest.

The CPS stressed that the proceedings remain active and that every defendant has the right to a fair trial.

It also warned against reporting, commentary or online sharing of information that could prejudice the ongoing proceedings.

The investigation into the death of Baby S continues.