Tearful mourners carry tiny casket as funeral held for murdered newborn baby in Sheffield
A man cried as he carried the tiny casket for the newborn baby girl
A man was seen crying today as he kissed the tiny white coffin of a newborn baby girl stabbed to death in Sheffield.
Mourners gathered at St Marie’s Catholic Cathedral in the city centre on Monday, October 26, to say goodbye to Maria Skopova, who died following an incident at an address in Holywell Heights, Wincobank, on Sunday, August 30.
Five people have been charged in connection with her death.
The cold and wet day reflected the sombre mood of mourners as they slowly arrived at the cathedral in groups throughout the afternoon.
A small group of around five people, including one woman and four men, accompanied Maria’s coffin as it was carried into the cathedral.
The priest anointed the tiny white coffin before it was taken inside.
Young children also attended the service with their parents.
The service, which began at 1.30pm, was conducted mainly in Slovakian.
Hymns could be heard from outside the church.
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A further private ceremony took place at a Sheffield cemetery afterwards, attended by Maria’s family and close loved ones.
Andrea Skopova, 20, Peter Horvath, 19, Peter Horvath, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37, have all been charged with murder, causing or allowing the death of a child, and perverting the course of justice by taking steps to conceal the killing of an infant.
A 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons because of her age, has been charged with perverting the course of justice.
A trial date has been set for April 12 next year and is expected to last six to seven weeks.