UK police appeal after five-day-old baby killed

UK detectives today appealed for help in hunting a killer who murdered a newborn baby girl.

The five-day-old child was found with serious injuries at the family home in Tottenham, north London, shortly before 1pm on Wednesday, Scotland Yard revealed.

She was rushed from the house in Dunloe Avenue to North Middlesex Hospital then transferred to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington.

The child’s surname is Shala, but the family had not yet decided on a first name.

Doctors fought to save her life but the girl’s condition deteriorated. The child was pronounced dead at 10am on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination carried out today at Great Ormond Street children’s hospital gave the cause of death as head injuries.

An inquest will open and adjourn on Monday at Hornsey Coroners Court.

Detectives are interviewing the girl’s family and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Ron Scott said: “I am appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious in Dunloe Avenue between the hours of 9am and 1pm on that Wednesday to please call us.

“Dunloe Avenue is a quiet residential street. Were you in the area on the morning of Wednesday 23 July?”