Tragic Fall: Newborn Baby Dies After Being Thrown from Westminster Flat
An 18-day-old infant suffered a fatal head injury after reportedly being hurled from a third-floor window by her mother in central London. The heartbreaking incident unfolded on Saturday in Westminster, where baby Mariam plunged approximately 10 metres (32 feet) from her family’s flat.
Emergency Response and Court Proceedings
Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes of a 7:30 a.m. 999 call placed by Mariam’s father. They discovered the newborn lying on a concrete area nestled between the residential block on Great Peter Street and a tall metal railing. Despite immediate medical attention, Mariam was pronounced dead at 9 a.m. in hospital, having sustained a devastating skull fracture.
Prosecutor Philip McGhee revealed that the baby’s mother, Zahira Byjaouane, 43, was found inside the flat sitting on a bed when police entered. Initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, she was formally charged with murder the following day.
Details of the Incident Inside the Flat
According to court testimony, Mariam’s father was present but occupied in the kitchen preparing baby formula at the time. It is alleged that Byjaouane threw the infant from a sash window. The father attempted to reach his daughter outside but was unable to do so and promptly returned indoors to call emergency services.
Judicial Timeline Set for Trial
Judge Mark Lucraft KC established a clear court schedule, with a plea hearing slated for June 3rd and a provisional 10-day trial set to begin on February 15, 2027. The accused remains in custody pending further proceedings.
