NEWBORN BABY FOUND DEAD IN OUTHOUSE — COURT HEARS SHE SUFFERED 33 INJURIES IN 15 SEPARATE STABBINGS

A newborn girl died on the day she was born in Sheffield, as four adults face murder charges and a teenager is accused of helping conceal what happened

A newborn baby girl died on the very day she entered the world — and a court has heard she suffered 33 injuries, including 15 separate stab wounds.

The infant, initially identified in court as Baby S, was found dead inside an outhouse at a property in Sheffield’s Wincobank area on August 30, 2026.

The case has shocked the local community and prompted a major investigation by South Yorkshire Police.

But as disturbing details have emerged in court, prosecutors have stressed that the allegations against the defendants must still be tested through the criminal justice process.

A BABY BORN JUST HOURS BEFORE HER DEATH

The court heard that the baby was born during the early hours of August 30 at a property on Holywell Heights.

Her mother, Andrea Skopova, 20, later attended hospital following the birth.

According to prosecutors, the baby was born at around 37 weeks.

Later that morning, police were called to the property following concerns for the safety of a newborn.

Officers and paramedics attended.

Tragically, the baby was found dead inside an outbuilding and could not be saved.

33 INJURIES AND 15 SEPARATE STABBINGS

A forensic post-mortem examination established that the baby’s cause of death was stab wounds.

At Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, prosecutors told the court that the newborn had suffered 33 injuries from 15 separate stabbings, involving her face and torso.

The court also heard that the baby had allegedly been wrapped in a towel and placed inside a blue bag before being left on top of a washing machine in the outhouse.

These details form part of the prosecution case and have not been established as facts against any individual defendant.

FOUR ADULTS CHARGED WITH MURDER

Four adults have been charged with the baby’s murder.

They are:

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

The four also face charges relating to causing or allowing the death of a child and allegedly taking steps to conceal the killing.

A 15-year-old girl has separately been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Because of her age, she cannot legally be identified.

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

THE CASE HAS NOW REACHED THE CROWN COURT

The four adult defendants appeared before Sheffield Crown Court in September.

They are all Slovakian nationals and required interpreters during proceedings.

The court heard that the baby’s father was not known.

The defendants deny the allegations through the legal process and remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Their trial is currently scheduled to begin on April 12, 2027, and is expected to last between six and seven weeks.

BABY MARIA

More recent reporting has identified Baby S as Maria Skopova.

An inquest into the baby’s death was opened in Sheffield, but proceedings were adjourned while the criminal case continues.

The coroner is expected to return to the circumstances of Maria’s death after the criminal proceedings have progressed.

For now, her story is largely being told through court proceedings and the investigation.

She was born on August 30.

She lived for only a matter of hours.

And the circumstances surrounding her death have left a community struggling to comprehend what happened.

POLICE ASK FOR CAUTION

South Yorkshire Police have urged people not to speculate about the case while the investigation and criminal proceedings continue.

Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward said the investigation had been deeply distressing for everyone involved, including the emergency workers who first attended the property.

Flowers have since been left near the scene as members of the community mourn the death of a baby they never had the chance to know.

A CASE THAT HAS LEFT MANY QUESTIONS

The investigation continues to examine what happened during the hours between Maria’s birth and the arrival of emergency services.

Who was responsible for the injuries?

What happened inside the property?

And what happened during the short life of a baby who had only just been born?

Those questions will ultimately have to be answered through the courts.

For now, the only certainty is that a newborn girl died on the day she was born — and her death has resulted in a complex criminal investigation involving several defendants.

**Baby Maria was here for only a few hours.

Her name may now be remembered through a courtroom case — but behind every charge is a tiny life that never had the chance to begin.