A three-month-old baby who died after being violently shaken had been on a child protection plan, jurors at the Old Bailey have heard.

Kaylani Kalanzi was admitted to Homerton Hospital in Hackney on 8 July 2024 after suffering catastrophic brain injuries, fractures to her leg and ribs, and damage to her eyes. She died 15 days later.

Her parents, Herbert Kalanzi, 35, and Nazli Merthoca, 24, from East Ham, deny murder and causing or allowing her death.

Social services involvement

Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC told the jury that Kaylani had already come to the attention of social services and was subject to a child protection plan due to concerns about her parents’ volatile relationship.

The couple were described as being in a “mutually abusive relationship”, with Merthoca also using drugs, making Kaylani particularly vulnerable.

“Each defendant knew that the other one posed a real risk to the children,” Ms Johnson said.

Earlier injuries

Three weeks before her death, Kaylani had suffered an injury to her right eye. Merthoca initially accused Kalanzi of causing it but later changed her account to medics. Kalanzi has always denied responsibility, claiming it was an accident.

Ms Johnson said:

“In itself the eye injury was minor but it is a graphic example of the defendants’ inability to care properly for Kaylani and their failure to protect her from harm.”

Fatal night

On the evening of 8 July, both parents were said to be responsible for Kaylani’s care at Merthoca’s grandmother’s flat in Homerton. They later called 999 claiming Kaylani had stopped breathing.

Paramedics found no mention of her being shaken, but medical experts later ruled her injuries could not have been accidental.

Ms Johnson told the court:

“One of them is lying. One of them did it. But only they know who the culprit is.”

She added that the primary issue for jurors would be to decide which parent was responsible for the fatal shaking.

The trial continues.