BABY MARIA SKOPOVA — NEWBORN’S NAME REVEALED AS FOUR ADULTS FACE MURDER TRIAL

A newborn baby girl who was previously known only as “Baby S” has now been formally identified as Maria Skopova, as four adults face a murder trial in connection with her death in Sheffield.

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

Her name was formally confirmed when an inquest into her death was opened in Sheffield. The inquest has since been adjourned while criminal proceedings continue.

 HER NAME IS NOW MARIA

For weeks, the newborn had been referred to in court as Baby S while authorities worked to establish her identity.

The opening of the inquest has now formally identified her as Maria Skopova.

Senior Coroner Tanyka Rawden opened the inquest at Sheffield’s Medico-Legal Centre before adjourning proceedings until March 25, 2027.

The coroner confirmed that emergency services attended the Sheffield property on the day Maria died and that paramedics pronounced her deceased at the scene.

 FOUR ADULTS FACE MURDER CHARGES

Maria’s mother, Andrea Skopova, 20, is among four adults charged in connection with her death.

The other defendants are:

• Peter Horvath Jr, 19
• Peter Horvath Sr, 38
• Nina Horvathova, 37

All four are charged with murder, as well as causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice.

A 15-year-old girl, who cannot legally be named, is separately charged with perverting the course of justice.

 THE CASE HAS SHOCKED THE COMMUNITY

Police were initially called to the Wincobank area on August 30 following concerns about the safety of a newborn.

Officers searched a property on Holywell Heights, where Maria was discovered.

South Yorkshire Police later confirmed that a forensic post-mortem established that the baby died from injuries caused by a sharp weapon.

Police initially arrested seven people during the investigation. Four adults were subsequently charged with murder, while the teenage defendant faces a separate charge connected to the alleged handling of the scene. Two additional women, aged 26 and 37, remain on bail after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

 MARIA’S MOTHER IS AMONG THE DEFENDANTS

Andrea Skopova is Maria’s biological mother.

The court previously heard that Skopova is in a relationship with Peter Horvath Jr, who is the son of the other two adult defendants.

Prosecutors told the court that Horvath Jr is not believed to be Maria’s biological father, whose identity remains unknown.

The four adult defendants are Slovakian nationals and were remanded in custody following their court appearances.

 TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN LEFT NEAR THE PROPERTY

Following Maria’s death, flowers and tributes were placed close to the Sheffield property where she was found.

The small memorial became a quiet focal point for people shocked by the news.

South Yorkshire Police previously urged members of the public not to speculate or share unverified information online, stressing that the integrity of the criminal investigation and court proceedings must be protected.

 A MAJOR COURT CASE IS AHEAD

The four adult defendants appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on October 2.

No pleas were entered during the hearing, and another hearing has been scheduled for December 14.

A trial is already scheduled to begin on April 12, 2027, with proceedings expected to last approximately six to seven weeks.

All four adults remain in custody.

THE ALLEGATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN PROVEN

The charges against Andrea Skopova, Peter Horvath Jr, Peter Horvath Sr and Nina Horvathova are allegations only.

None of the defendants has been convicted in connection with Maria’s death, and each is entitled to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.

The criminal case will ultimately determine what happened to Maria and what responsibility, if any, each defendant bears.

For now, the story has left a Sheffield community mourning a newborn baby who lived for only one day.

Her name is now known.

Maria Skopova.

And the legal process surrounding her death is only beginning.