A MUM who battered and shook her newborn baby to death before blaming a “weirdo” neighbour has been jailed for life.
Eloddie Goncalves waged a sickening of campaign of abuse against 11-week-old Malik while his dad Muritala Olaiya-Imam turned a blind eye.
EssexLiveEloddie Goncalves has been jailed for murder[/caption]
The mum, 33, made a chilling 999 call after she murdered the baby at home in Harlow, Essex, saying: “My son is dead, he’s not moving”.
She also claimed “somebody came in the house because I left the window open” – suggesting her “weirdo” neighbour was to blame.
Little Malik was later found to have suffered 21 rib fractures, broken wrists and his skull was fractured in two places.
The tragic baby’s injuries were likely caused by a “shaking type of action” and “some forceful impact of the head onto or against a hard surface”.
Goncalves has now been jailed for life with a minimum of 17 years for murder, cruelty to a person under 16 years, assaulting an emergency worker and perverting the course of justice.
Olaiya-Imam was handed a ten-year sentence for allowing a child’s death, cruelty to a person under 16 years and perverting the course of justice.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard Goncalves was subject to a social services safety plan at the time of Malik’s brutal killing in August 2020.
Police had previously been called to her flat on June 24 where officers found her “handling [her child] in a rather unsafe manner, slurring her words, unsteady on her feet”.
The plan stipulated Goncalves must not drink alcohol or be left alone with Malik.
Olaiya-Imam was also told to call the police if he found the mum drinking.
On August 19, Goncalves called the emergency services and told them she had found the baby unresponsive.
A post mortem found Malik’s injuries were likely non-accidental and caused between two and 12 hours prior to his death.
A left wrist fracture had happened six day before he died.
Goncalves was asked to provide a urine sample for drug and alcohol testing but she and Olaiya-Imam mixed their samples to taint it.
A blood test later revealed Goncalves had been smoking cannabis and was one and a half times over the legal drink-drive limit.
After the pair’s convictions, Det Ch Insp Stuart Truss said: “The death of a young child is and will always be immensely tragic and our thoughts remain with Malik’s wider family at this difficult time.
“Malik died at the hands of those who should have cared for him most. I hope that today’s verdict will bring some comfort to the family.
“This lengthy, sensitive investigation was difficult for all those involved.
“But I am proud that everyone acted with determined professionalism and focused on what really mattered – securing justice for the death of their defenceless baby son.”
PAMuritala Olaiya-Imam turned a blind eye to his son’s suffering[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
