- Nazli Merthoca, 24, from East Ham, east London, jailed for nine and a half years for manslaughter of her three-month-old daughter Kaylani Kalanzi after violently shaking her in July 2024.​
- Kaylani suffered catastrophic brain injuries, bleeding in the brain, eye damage, broken leg (tibia), and fractured ribs; admitted to hospital on 8 July 2024, died 15 days later.​
- Merthoca under social services child protection plan pre-birth; family allowed custody after proving suitability; she lost temper due to pressures, confronted social workers, used cannabis/alcohol.​
- Merthoca acquitted of murder, did not testify, claimed unfair accusation due to ethnicity/gender; partner Herbert Kalanzi, 35, acquitted of murder, causing/permitting death, failing to protect.​
- Judge Mark Lucraft KC called it “tragic loss of a precious life”; Merthoca must serve two-thirds before parole; defence cited traumatic childhood, care system entry at 12, psychological anger issues.​
- Prosecutor Abigail Husbands/Zoe Johnson KC: “lost her temper… selfish and irresponsible” prioritising abusive relationship; Det Insp John Marriott: “horrific assault… fabricated lies”.​
- Kaylani spent 29 days in special baby unit at North Middlesex Hospital before home on 13 May 2024.​
Nazli Merthoca, 24, received a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence at the Old Bailey for the manslaughter of her three-month-old daughter Kaylani Kalanzi, whom she violently shook in a fit of temper in East Ham, east London. The infant succumbed to severe brain injuries, a broken leg, and fractured ribs on 23 July 2024, 15 days after hospital admission. Her partner Herbert Kalanzi was acquitted of all charges amid a trial revealing social services oversight and family turmoil.
What Led to Kaylani Kalanzi’s Death?
As reported by BBC News, Kaylani Kalanzi “tragically lost her life due to severe brain injuries, along with a broken leg and ribs, after being violently shaken by her mother, Nazli Merthoca” in July 2024. The infant had been under a social services child protection plan before birth, yet the family retained custody after assessments deemed them suitable.​
Mirror Online detailed that Kaylani was admitted to hospital on 8 July 2024 “after having been violently shaken, suffering a blow to her head,” with staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital noting Merthoca’s distress when questioned. She passed away 15 days later, having spent 29 days in North Middlesex Hospital’s special baby unit post-birth before discharge on 13 May 2024.​
Why Did Nazli Merthoca Shake Her Daughter?
Prosecutor Abigail Husbands, as cited by BBC News, highlighted that Merthoca’s “loss of temper stemmed from various pressures,” including animosity towards social workers and substance use. Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC told jurors, per Mirror Online, that the 24-year-old “lost her temper with the baby due to a buildup of factors” and “confronted social workers rather than accepting their assistance”.​
Yahoo News UK confirmed Merthoca “killed her three-month-old daughter by violently shaking her when she lost her temper”. Sky News echoed: “Mother jailed after ‘losing her temper’ and killing her three-month-old daughter” with catastrophic injuries.​
What Did the Court Hear About Merthoca’s Background?
Benjamin Aina KC, Merthoca’s defence counsel, informed the Old Bailey, according to BBC News, that she “entered the care system at the age of 12 and had turned to cannabis and alcohol for solace,” with a psychological evaluation deeming her “an angry person” from traumatic childhood experiences. He stressed her remorse: “unbearable blow,” desiring to be a good mother.​
Mirror Online noted Merthoca “had previously denied any wrongdoing and chose not to testify,” becoming distressed at hospital, claiming unfair accusation “due to her ethnicity and gender”. The jury acquitted her of murder after over 15 hours’ deliberation but convicted on manslaughter.​
What Sentence Did Judge Mark Lucraft Impose?
Judge Mark Lucraft KC stated, as per BBC News, Kaylani’s death was “the loss of a precious life” resonating deeply, considering Merthoca’s mental health, age, and circumstances; she must serve two-thirds of nine-and-a-half years before licence release. Mirror Online quoted him: “The repercussions of Kaylani’s death will resonate with many. You must live with the reality that you took your daughter’s life”.​
Perspective Media reported: “jailed for nine and a half years after killing her three-month-old daughter” on 15 December 2025. CA Yahoo News mirrored: “jailed for nine and a half years for killing her three-month-old daughter”.​
What Happened to Herbert Kalanzi?
BBC News reported Herbert Kalanzi, 35, “was acquitted of charges related to murder, causing or permitting Kaylani’s death, and failing to protect her”; both parents maintained innocence, did not testify. Mirror Online stated the jury “found not guilty… causing or permitting Kaylani’s death and was formally exonerated of her murder under the guidance of Judge Mark Lucraft KC”.​
Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC described parents’ behaviour as “selfish and irresponsible,” prioritising “mutually abusive relationship” with drugs involved.​
What Did Police Say About the Case?
Detective Inspector John Marriott from Scotland Yard, quoted in Mirror Online, said: “Merthoca committed a horrific assault on her own child. To make matters worse, she fabricated a series of lies to the emergency services to evade accountability”. He added: “Although Kaylani’s life was tragically cut short… family members loved and cared for her… deeply traumatized… thoughts are with them.”​
Marriott commended: “Investigators gathered extensive digital evidence… damning case… most challenging… commend the investigation team”. When paramedics arrived, Merthoca “failed to inform them about the shaking incident”.​
How Did Social Services Factor In?
The family was monitored pre-birth; social services “allowed the couple to have custody… after they proved themselves as suitable parents,” per Mirror Online court details. Merthoca held “animosity towards the social workers,” confronting rather than cooperating.​
BBC News noted the child protection plan context, underscoring systemic involvement.​
What Injuries Did Kaylani Sustain?
BBC News listed: “bleeding in the brain, eye damage, and fractures to her tibia and ribs”. Mirror Online: “severe brain injuries along with a broken leg and ribs”. Yahoo UK: “brain injuries, a broken leg and fractured ribs”; Sky News: “catastrophic brain injuries, as well as a broken leg and ribs”.​
Why Is This Case Notable in Child Protection Debates?
Dazzling Dawn referenced “Drugged British Bangladeshi mother Nazli Merthoca, 24, is guilty of manslaughter in the fatal shaking… of her 3-month-old daughter”. Express.co.uk covered a separate case of Melissa Wilband jailed 15 years for shaking four-month-old, illustrating pattern.​
Reports stress despite oversight, tragedy occurred, prompting reviews.
What Happens Next for Merthoca?
Eligible for release after two-thirds served, per Judge Lucraft. Family trauma lingers; police support offered.
