Dalena Reporters
A British court has sentenced a 24‑year‑old woman to a lengthy prison term after finding her guilty of killing her three‑month‑old daughter by violently shaking the infant, in a case that has drawn renewed attention to child abuse, parental stress and mental‑health support for young caregivers.
The woman, identified in court records as Nazli Merthoca, was convicted of manslaughter after medical experts testified that the baby died from catastrophic brain injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Prosecutors told the court that the infant suffered severe trauma, including bleeding on the brain and other internal injuries, following a violent shaking episode.
During the trial, evidence showed that the child collapsed at home and was rushed to hospital, where doctors attempted emergency treatment. Despite medical intervention, the baby later died from the extent of the injuries sustained.
The court heard that Merthoca admitted shaking the child during a moment of frustration but denied any intention to kill her daughter. The judge, however, ruled that her actions amounted to gross violence against a defenceless infant, stressing that even a single episode of violent shaking can prove fatal.
In delivering the sentence, the judge described the case as “deeply tragic and entirely avoidable,” noting that babies are extremely vulnerable to head injuries. While taking into account the defendant’s age and personal circumstances, the court said the seriousness of the offence required a custodial sentence to reflect the gravity of the harm caused.
Child‑protection advocates said the case underscores the dangers of shaken baby syndrome and the urgent need for early intervention, parenting education and mental‑health support, particularly for young or overwhelmed parents.
Medical experts consistently warn that shaking an infant can cause irreversible brain damage, blindness or death, even if no external injuries are visible. They urge caregivers experiencing stress to seek immediate help from family members, healthcare providers or social services rather than resort to violence.
The case has sparked wider debate in the United Kingdom about how authorities can better identify families at risk and provide timely support to prevent similar tragedies.
As the convicted mother begins her prison sentence, the judgment stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence against children and the responsibility society bears in protecting its most vulnerable members.