Overview
- Judge Mark Lucraft KC sentenced Nazli Merthoca to nine years and six months, calling Kaylani’s death “a loss of a precious life.”
- Kaylani was admitted on July 8, 2024 with catastrophic brain injuries, a broken leg and rib fractures after being violently shaken, and died 15 days later.
- A jury had cleared Merthoca of murder but convicted her of manslaughter; her partner, Herbert Kalanzi, was acquitted of all charges.
- Social services had placed the baby on a child protection plan before birth and later allowed the parents custody following assessments.
- Prosecutors said Merthoca lost her temper and rejected help, while the defence cited her traumatic upbringing and substance use; police said she lied to emergency services and that digital and medical findings underpinned the case.