FOUR PEOPLE ACCUSED IN THE DEATH OF A NEWBORN BABY NOW FACE ANOTHER SERIOUS ALLEGATION — AND IT CENTRES ON WHAT HAPPENED AFTER HER DEATH

Four adults accused over the death of a newborn baby in Sheffield are facing further serious charges — including an allegation that steps were taken to conceal what happened after the infant died.

Andrea Skopova, 20, Peter Horvath Jr, 19, Peter Horvath Sr, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37, have all been charged with the murder of Baby S.

But prosecutors allege their involvement went further.

The four adults are also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and with perverting the course of justice by taking steps to conceal the killing of the newborn.

All four appeared at Sheffield Crown Court alongside a 15-year-old girl, who has separately been charged with perverting the course of justice. Because of her age, she cannot legally be identified.

THE DISCOVERY THAT SHOCKED SHEFFIELD

Baby S was discovered after police were called to a property in Holywell Heights, in the Wincobank area of Sheffield, shortly before 6am on August 30.

According to evidence outlined in court, the newborn was found wrapped in a towel inside a blue bag in an outbuilding.

A postmortem examination later established that the baby’s cause of death was stab wounds.

Prosecutors said she had suffered 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings.

The four adults were subsequently charged with murder.

Two other women, aged 26 and 37, were also arrested during the investigation but remain on bail.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARD?

That is now one of the central questions in the case.

The four adults face allegations that they not only caused or allowed the baby’s death, but also took steps intended to conceal the killing.

The charge of perverting the course of justice relates to those alleged actions.

However, the prosecution’s allegations have not been tested at trial.

All four defendants remain legally presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A HEAVILY GUARDED COURT APPEARANCE

The defendants’ appearance at Sheffield Crown Court was unusually tense.

Seven security guards were present, while two Slovak interpreters assisted during the proceedings.

Around 26 relatives watched from the public gallery.

The 15-year-old girl became emotional during the hearing and was remanded into youth custody.

The four adults were also remanded in custody.

The case is now expected to continue through the courts, with a trial scheduled for next year.

POLICE WARN AGAINST ONLINE SPECULATION

South Yorkshire Police have repeatedly urged members of the public not to speculate about Baby S’s death or share unverified claims online.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward said protecting the integrity of the criminal justice process was crucial as investigators continued working to establish exactly what happened.

Flowers have since been left near the police cordon at Holywell Heights as the local community mourns the newborn girl.

For investigators, however, the case is far from over.

The question is no longer simply what happened to Baby S.

It is also what allegedly happened in the moments and hours afterward — and why prosecutors believe attempts were made to conceal the circumstances surrounding her death.

Those questions will now have to be answered in court.