SHE WAS BORN AND DIED ON THE SAME DAY — NEWBORN BABY MARIA SKOPOVA’S DEATH LEAVES SHEFFIELD IN SHOCK AS FOUR ADULTS FACE MURDER TRIAL

A newborn girl who lived for only hours has now been identified as Maria Skopova, as four adults remain in custody accused of her murder and a major court case looms.

Maria Skopova was born on August 30, 2026.

She died on that same day.

For weeks, the newborn was known publicly only as “Baby S” as investigators worked to establish exactly what happened inside a Sheffield property.

An inquest has now identified the little girl as Maria Skopova, while criminal proceedings against four adults continue.

A BABY WHO NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO GROW UP

Emergency services were called to a property in the Holywell Heights area of Wincobank, Sheffield, on August 30 after concerns were raised about the safety of an infant.

Maria was found dead in an outbuilding at the property.

A forensic post-mortem examination established that her death was caused by stab wounds.

Court proceedings have since heard that the newborn had suffered 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbing injuries.

Those details form part of the prosecution case and have not yet been tested at trial.

 FOUR ADULTS FACE MURDER CHARGES

Four adults have been charged with Maria’s murder:

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

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

A 15-year-old girl has separately been charged with perverting the course of justice and cannot legally be named.

The four adults and the teenager have been remanded in custody.

MARIA’S NAME IS FINALLY KNOWN

During the initial criminal proceedings, the baby was referred to only as Baby S.

But when the inquest opened on October 1, the coroner confirmed her identity as Maria Skopova.

The inquest was then adjourned because of the ongoing criminal proceedings and is due to resume in March 2027.

Flowers and small tributes have also been left outside the property in Holywell Heights, reflecting the shock felt by people in the local community.

THE FAMILY CONNECTION

Andrea Skopova is identified by prosecutors as Maria’s mother.

Peter Horvath Jr was described in court as Skopova’s boyfriend, while Peter Horvath Sr and Nina Horvathova are his parents.

The court previously heard that Maria’s father was unknown and that Horvath Jr was not believed to be her father.

 A MAJOR TRIAL IS AHEAD

The four adults are due to stand trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

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

At a hearing on October 2, none of the defendants entered pleas.

All remain in custody as the legal process continues.

The Crown Prosecution Service has specifically reminded the public that the defendants have the right to a fair trial and that being charged does not mean they have been found guilty.

 A LIFE THAT LASTED ONLY HOURS

Maria’s story is one of the most heartbreaking elements of the case.

She had only just entered the world when her life ended.

Now her name is known.

Her death is being investigated through both an inquest and criminal proceedings, while the four adults accused in connection with her death wait for their case to reach trial.

For Maria, there will be no childhood, no first birthday and no chance to grow up.

She was born on August 30.
She died on August 30.
And now a court will have to determine exactly what happened during those final hours of her life.