A mother charged with the murder of her four-year-old son, Kobi Macharia Dooly, in a knife attack, wept during her first appearance at the Old Bailey.

Keziah Macharia, 41, faced the charges after her son was discovered with multiple cuts in his cot on December 20. The tragic incident has deeply affected family and friends who attended the court for a preliminary hearing.

Appearing via video link from Bronzefield prison, Macharia, dressed in a grey sweatshirt, initially confirmed her name and date of birth before breaking down in tears for the remainder of the hearing.

Judge Lynn Tayton presided over the preliminary hearing and set a timetable for the case. A plea and trial preparation hearing has been scheduled for March 21, with a trial before a High Court judge provisionally set to span up to 10 days from November 4.

During the hearing, prosecutor Louise Oakley outlined the details of the case, revealing that on the evening of December 20, concerns for Kobi’s welfare were reported to the police by his father, Ben Dooly. Mr. Dooly had separated from the defendant approximately a year before.

Responding to the 999 call, officers entered Macharia’s residence in Hackney, East London, at 10:59 pm and found Kobi in his cot with several sharp force injuries. The child was rushed to the Royal London Hospital, where he tragically passed away at 12:16 am on December 21.

Keziah Macharia was subsequently arrested at the Montague Road address and charged with murder on December 22. Although the exact cause of death is pending confirmation, it is believed that Kobi succumbed to sharp force injuries, including one to the front of the neck and another to the upper left chest.

After the brief hearing, Judge Tayton remanded Macharia into custody. In the wake of the heartbreaking incident, Kobi’s father, Mr. Dooly, released a statement expressing the family’s profound loss.

“With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Kobi, you will be so dearly missed,” he said. “The joy and laughter you brought to the world has been taken far too soon. We will be thinking of you day and night for eternity until we meet you again. The family would like to acknowledge and appreciate all messages of support. Please respect our family’s privacy at this very difficult time.”