The mother of a newborn girl who prosecutors say suffered 33 wounds in 15 separate stabbings has appeared in court alongside three adults and a teenage girl in connection with the baby’s death in Sheffield.
Andrea Skopova, 20, is accused of murdering her newborn daughter, who was found dead at a property in Holywell Heights, Wincobank, on August 30.
The case has since moved to Sheffield Crown Court, where Skopova appeared alongside Peter Horvath Jnr, 19, Peter Horvath Snr, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37. A 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named because of her age, has also been charged in connection with the alleged concealment of the death.
All five defendants are Slovakian nationals and have been remanded in custody. None of the defendants has entered a plea.
Baby found in outhouse
Emergency services were called to the property on Holywell Heights after concerns were raised about the safety of a newborn.
Police attended the address on Sunday, August 30, where the baby was found. Despite efforts by emergency crews, she was pronounced dead at the scene. A forensic post-mortem later established that her death was caused by stab wounds.
The baby was referred to in later court proceedings as “Baby S”. The original report identified her as Maria Skopova.
Prosecutors previously told Sheffield Magistrates’ Court that the newborn had suffered 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings. The injuries were described as being to her face and torso, including both the front and back of her body.
Her body was allegedly wrapped in a towel, placed inside a blue bag and left on top of a washing machine in an outhouse.
Four adults face murder charges
Skopova is charged with murder, along with Peter Horvath Jnr, Peter Horvath Snr and Nina Horvathova.
The three Horvaths are connected to Skopova through her relationship with Peter Horvath Jnr. Prosecutors have said Skopova is Horvath Jnr’s girlfriend, while Horvath Snr and Horvathova are his parents.
The prosecution has also stated that Horvath Jnr is not believed to be the baby’s father and that the father’s identity was not known.
All four adults additionally face charges of causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice. The latter allegation relates to steps allegedly taken to conceal the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death, including cleaning the scene.
The 15-year-old girl faces a charge of perverting the course of justice. Her identity is protected by law because she is a minor.
Court hearing and next steps
The defendants were remanded in custody during the proceedings.
At an earlier hearing, the court heard details of the alleged injuries and the circumstances in which the baby’s body was discovered. The adults later appeared at Sheffield Crown Court, where Judge Sarah Wright set a provisional trial date of April 12, 2027. The trial is expected to last between six and seven weeks.
The case remains active, and the defendants are legally presumed innocent unless and until they are convicted.
A further hearing is scheduled as the court process continues.
Inquest opened and adjourned
An inquest into the newborn’s death has also been opened.
Senior coroner Tanyka Rawden said emergency services had attended the property and that paramedics sadly pronounced the baby dead. She said the infant was identified after death through police inquiries.
The inquest was adjourned while the criminal proceedings continue, with further consideration due at a later date. The coroner said inquiries into the circumstances of the death were still ongoing.
Two other women, aged 26 and 37, who were previously arrested on suspicion of murder remain on bail.
South Yorkshire Police have described the investigation as complex and urged people not to speculate publicly about the circumstances while the legal proceedings are ongoing.
For now, the criminal case against Skopova, the Horvaths and the teenage defendant will proceed through the courts, with the full circumstances surrounding the newborn’s death yet to be determined at trial.