Sheffield inquest opens into death of newborn baby

An inquest has opened into the death of a newborn baby, Maria Skopova, who died on August 30 in the Wincobank area of Sheffield. The infant was found in an outhouse at a property in Holywell Heights with 33 wounds resulting from 15 separate stabbings.

Four Slovakian nationals—Andrea Skopova, 20, Peter Horvath, 19, Peter Horvath, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37—face murder charges in connection with the death. The defendants also face charges of causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice for allegedly cleaning the crime scene. A 15-year-old girl has also been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Senior coroner Tanyka Rawden adjourned the proceedings due to the ongoing criminal case. The trial for the four murder accused is scheduled to begin on April 12 at Sheffield Crown Court and is expected to last six to seven weeks.