A MUM has been convicted of killing her three-month old baby daughter before spinning a web of lies to cover her tracks.
Kaylani Kalanzi tragically died after catastrophic brain injuries, a broken leg and broken ribs on July 8, 2024 after her mother Nazli Merthoca, 24, violently shook her.
Nazli Merthoca became visibly irate when cops asked to have a word with her
The mum, 24, was today convicted of killing her three-month old daughter
Kaylani Kalanzi was on the radar of social services even before she was born and placed on a child protection plan
Her partner, 35-year-old Herbert Kalanzi, was cleared of murder, manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child.
Merthoca, from East Ham, was found guilty of of manslaughter by a jury at the Old Bailey earlier today.
The duo had both denied wrongdoing and did not give evidence at their trial.
Merthoca broke down in tears in the following her conviction.
She will be sentenced on 15 December.
“Merthoca carried out a horrific assault on her own child,” Detective Inspector John Marriott said.
“To add insult, she then spun a web of lies to the emergency services in order to cover up her responsibility.
“Though Kaylani’s life was cut short by this hideous abuse, there were relatives who loved and cared for her.
“They have been left traumatised by her killing, and our thoughts are with them at this time.
“Investigators compiled extensive digital evidence, which, coupled with overwhelming medical evidence, painted a damning picture of the defendant at trial.
“Offences against children – especially of this gravity – are some of the most difficult cases police deal with.
“The evidence here was particularly harrowing and complex, and I would like to commend the investigation team for their work bringing Merthoca to justice.”
Paramedics rushed to the scene in Homerton High Street at around 10.30pm after Merthoca called 999 claiming Kaylani had stopped breathing.
returned to the address the following day and arrested the mum on suspicion of attempted murder.
While in police custody, Merhoca maintained that the tot had become unwell in her care before slipping out of consciousness.
However, a specialist postmortem found that the child had died due to blunt force trauma.
The forensic pathologist noted that Kaylani’s injuries could only have arisen from severe shaking.
Despite the best efforts of staff, Kaylani’s condition deteriorated over subsequent weeks and a decision was made to remove life support, on July 23.
Staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital said that Merthoca became upset when she was questioned on what happened.
She subsequently claimed she had been arrested because of her race and gender, BBC News reported .
Merthoca will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on December 15.
Merthoca was arrested by cops less than 24 hours after paramedics rushed to attend to Kaylani’s injuries
Merthoca will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on December 15 
