FOUR ADULTS APPEAR IN COURT OVER THE DEATH OF NEWBORN BABY MARIA SKOPOVA

A newborn baby girl who had only just entered the world became the centre of a devastating criminal investigation in Sheffield.

Now, four adults have appeared in court accused of her murder, while a 15-year-old girl faces a separate charge connected to the alleged handling of the scene.

The baby, previously referred to in court as Baby S, has since been identified as Maria Skopova.

A BABY GIRL FOUND DEAD IN SHEFFIELD

Maria was born on 30 August 2026 at a property in the Wincobank area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Police were called after concerns were raised about the welfare of a newborn.

Officers searched a property on Holywell Heights, where the baby was found deceased in an outbuilding.

A forensic post-mortem examination later established that Maria died from stab wounds, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

An inquest opened in October and was later adjourned while the criminal proceedings continue.

FOUR PEOPLE ACCUSED

Four adults have been charged with murder:

• Andrea Skopova, 20
• Peter Horvath Jr, 19
• Peter Horvath Sr, 38
• Nina Horvathova, 37

According to prosecutors, Skopova is Maria’s mother.

Peter Horvath Jr is described as Skopova’s boyfriend and is the son of Peter Horvath Sr and Nina Horvathova. Prosecutors have said he is not believed to be Maria’s biological father, whose identity remains unknown.

All four adults are also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice in relation to allegations that the scene was cleaned or concealed.

A FIFTH PERSON IS ALSO CHARGED

A 15-year-old girl, who cannot legally be named, has also appeared before the court.

She is charged with perverting the course of justice.

Police previously said two other women, aged 26 and 37, had been arrested on suspicion of murder but remained on bail.

 NO PLEAS HAVE BEEN ENTERED

The four adults and the teenage defendant appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on 2 October.

No pleas were entered.

The defendants were remanded in custody, with another hearing scheduled for 14 December 2026.

A provisional trial date has already been set for 12 April 2027, with the trial expected to last between six and seven weeks.

AN INQUEST HAS ALSO BEEN OPENED

Maria’s death has also been examined through the coroner’s process.

Senior Coroner Tanyka Rawden opened the inquest at Sheffield’s Medico-Legal Centre and adjourned it until 25 March 2027, while the criminal case continues.

Flowers and tributes have been left near the property where Maria was found, reflecting the shock felt by people in the local community.

A CASE THAT HAS SHOCKED THE COMMUNITY

Maria’s story has left Sheffield facing difficult questions about what happened during the hours surrounding her birth and death.

But many of those questions cannot yet be answered publicly.

The Crown Prosecution Service has stressed that the defendants have the right to a fair trial, and that the charges themselves are not findings of guilt.

South Yorkshire Police have also urged the public not to speculate or share unverified information online while the legal process continues.

For now, Maria’s name remains at the heart of a case that will continue through the courts.

A tiny life.

A grieving community.

And a legal process that now has to establish exactly what happened.