BABY S WAS BORN AT 37 WEEKS — THEN COURT REVEALED ONE OF THE MOST BASIC DETAILS ABOUT HER FAMILY WAS STILL UNKNOWN

She had only just entered the world. Within hours, her short life had become the center of a major murder investigation. And when the case reached court, prosecutors revealed a detail that stunned many people: the identity of Baby S’s father was still unknown.

The newborn girl, known only as Baby S, was born at 37 weeks in the early hours of Sunday, August 30, at an address in Sheffield.

Her mother, Andrea Skopova, 20, later went to hospital.

It was there that medical staff became concerned after recognizing that she had recently given birth.

Police were alerted shortly after 5 a.m.

What followed would lead to one of the most disturbing investigations currently before the courts in South Yorkshire.

THE BABY’S FATHER WAS NOT KNOWN

As prosecutors began outlining the case, one detail immediately stood out.

Skopova’s current boyfriend, Peter Horvath Jr., 19, is among those charged in connection with Baby S’s death.

But prosecutors told the court that Horvath Jr. is not believed to be the baby’s father.

The identity of Baby S’s biological father has not been established publicly.

That means that even as investigators piece together the final hours of the newborn’s life, one of the most fundamental details about her family remains unresolved.

Horvath Jr. is the son of co-defendants Peter Horvath Sr., 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37. All four adults are accused of murder, as well as causing or allowing the death of a child and attempting to conceal the killing.

A 15-year-old girl has also been charged with perverting the course of justice. She cannot legally be identified.

A BABY BORN ONLY HOURS EARLIER

According to prosecutors, Baby S had been born at an address in the Holywell Heights area of Sheffield’s Wincobank district.

Skopova subsequently attended hospital.

The medical staff’s discovery triggered the police response.

Officers went to the property after receiving concerns about the newborn’s safety.

The baby was eventually located at another address on Holywell Heights.

Emergency services were unable to save her.

A forensic post-mortem later established that she died from stab wounds.

THE COURT HEARD THE BABY SUFFERED 33 WOUNDS

The most disturbing details emerged during the first court hearing.

Prosecutor Luke Hopkinson told Sheffield Magistrates’ Court that Baby S had suffered 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings.

The injuries were described as being to her face and torso, including the front and back.

The prosecution also alleged that she was found wrapped in a towel and placed inside a blue bag before being left on top of a washing machine in an outbuilding.

A doctor told the court the baby had been alive when the injuries were inflicted.

The allegations have not been tested at trial.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

THE PEOPLE NOW ACCUSED

Four adults are facing murder charges:

• Andrea Skopova, 20, believed to be Baby S’s mother
• Peter Horvath Jr., 19
• Peter Horvath Sr., 38
• Nina Horvathova, 37

All four are also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice.

A 15-year-old girl faces a separate charge of perverting the course of justice.

Two other women, aged 26 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of murder but remain on bail while the investigation continues.

THE ALLEGED COVER-UP

The case is not limited to the circumstances surrounding Baby S’s injuries.

Prosecutors have also accused the four adults of taking steps to conceal what allegedly happened.

The charge of perverting the course of justice relates to an alleged attempt to conceal the killing.

Earlier proceedings heard allegations that blood was cleaned from a bathroom at the property.

Investigators have also recovered potential evidence, including a suspected weapon and CCTV footage, as they continue reconstructing the timeline.

Those allegations will be examined through the court process.

THE 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

The teenager charged separately cannot be named because of her age.

She appeared in court amid an extremely emotional hearing and was remanded into youth custody.

At the later Crown Court hearing, she sat alongside the adult defendants while family members watched from the public gallery.

The proceedings were conducted with the assistance of Slovak interpreters, as all five defendants are Slovakian nationals.

A COURTROOM FILLED WITH EMOTION

The Crown Court hearing lasted only a short time, but the atmosphere was highly emotional.

Family members packed the public gallery.

Skopova and the teenage defendant were reported to have cried during the proceedings.

The defendants did not enter pleas during the brief hearing and spoke only to confirm their identities.

All five were remanded in custody.

Outside the property where Baby S was found, members of the community have left flowers and tributes.

The tiny life at the center of the case has touched people across Sheffield.

THE QUESTION THAT MAY TAKE MONTHS TO ANSWER

Perhaps one of the most haunting aspects of the case is how little is publicly known about Baby S herself.

She was born prematurely by several weeks, at 37 weeks.

She lived for only a very short time.

Her father has not been publicly identified.

And investigators are still working to establish exactly what happened between her birth and the moment emergency services found her.

Those unanswered questions could become central as the prosecution builds its case.

The court process, rather than speculation online, will ultimately determine what can be proven.

TRIAL DATE SET FOR 2027

The four adults accused of murder appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on September 3.

Judge Sarah Wright set a provisional trial date of April 12, 2027.

The trial is expected to last between six and seven weeks.

The defendants were remanded in custody and are due back in court on October 2 for another hearing.

That means the full story of Baby S may not emerge for months.

Until then, prosecutors, police and the courts will continue examining the evidence.

POLICE URGE PEOPLE NOT TO SPECULATE

South Yorkshire Police have repeatedly appealed for people not to speculate publicly about the case or share unverified information online.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward described the investigation as complex and urged the community to allow the legal process to take its course.

The Crown Prosecution Service has issued a similar warning, stressing that the proceedings are active and that every defendant has the right to a fair trial.

For now, the central facts remain stark.

A baby girl was born at 37 weeks.

Her mother later went to hospital.

Police were called.

Baby S was found at a Sheffield property.

A post-mortem established that she died from stab wounds.

Four adults have been charged with murder, while a teenager faces a separate justice charge.

And one basic question remains unanswered:

Who was Baby S’s father?

As investigators continue piecing together the final hours of her life, that mystery is just one of many questions that could eventually be addressed when the case reaches trial.

For Baby S, there will be no second chance.

But the court process now faces the task of determining exactly what happened to her — and who, if anyone, can ultimately be held responsible.