A mother and father have appeared in court after being charged with the manslaughter of their 11-week-old daughter, who died after suffering a brain haemorrhage, fractured skull and ‘bite marks’.
Laborer Krunal Prajapati, 26, and Rinkalben Prajapati, 23, from Barnet, north-west London, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday charged with murdering their daughter Hazel Prajapati.
An investigation was launched on September 16 after Hazel was admitted in an unresponsive condition at Northwick Park Hospital in north London with bleeding on the brain, a fractured skull and bruises all over her body.
Her parents, who are Indian nationals, had taken her there in a taxi from their home in Colindale.
Hazel was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she died on September 20.
Laborer Krunal Prajapati, 26, and Rinkalben Prajapati, 23, from Barnet, north-west London, appeared at the Old Bailey (pictured) on Friday accused of murdering their daughter Hazel Prajapati
A special autopsy took place on September 26 and found broken bones and bite marks on her left arm and thigh.
They listed the preliminary cause of death as a head injury.
The pair were charged with Hazel’s murder and the alternative offense of permitting or causing the death of a child.
On Friday they appeared at the Old Bailey before Judge Mark Lucraft KC for a preliminary hearing.
The father wiped away tears in the dock as his wife was on video link from Bronzefield Prison.
None of them spoke except to confirm their names and date of birth, assisted by a Gujarati interpreter.
Prosecutor Joel Smith said: ‘The defendants face charges of murder and alternatively causing or allowing the death of a child.
‘The deceased is their daughter Hazel.
‘She was only 11 weeks old at the time of her death.
“The defendants have lived together in a single room with a private bathroom in Colindale since June this year.
‘On July 1, Hazel was born at Northwick Park Hospital. Mother and baby were released home on July 3. There were no medical concerns.
An investigation was launched on September 16 after Hazel was admitted in an unresponsive condition at Northwick Park Hospital in north London
‘But there were different visits by health personnel and visits to the general practitioner.’
Smith said there were no concerns.
He continued: ‘On September 16 this year, Hazel was fatally assaulted in the family home.’
Prajapati, a labourer, returned home from work that evening to his wife, baby and their flatmate, the court heard.
It is claimed the couple were cooking in the kitchen just after 8pm when Hazel started crying.
Smith said the parents took her to Northwick Park Hospital in a taxi a short time later.
‘They arrived at the hospital shortly before 10am and told staff that Hazel had been breathing irregularly and appropriately.
“At that time she showed no signs of life.
‘Body mapping… showed 10 areas of bruising and swelling of head, arms, abdomen, legs.
“There was also bleeding on the brain.
‘Hazel was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where a CT scan showed bleeding and swelling of the brain, fractured skull and retinal haemorrhages.
‘Her life was declared extinct on September 20.
“A subsequent autopsy has given the provisional cause of death as head injury.
‘The examination revealed significant bruising and a large skull fracture extending from the midline across the top of the head.
“There was also bleeding covering the brain, around the spinal cord, fractures to the ribcage, leg bones and forearm bones.
‘Two circular marks on the left arm and left thigh are believed to be bite marks.’
The Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft, KC, remanded the parents in custody ahead of a plea and preparation hearing at the Old Bailey on March 24 next year.
A trial before a High Court judge is tentatively set for September 4 next year.
The defendants were remanded in custody.