Victorian government to launch full investigation into Sanaya Sahib’s death
THE father of murdered tot Sanaya Sahib has given a final gift to her, building a tiny coffin. He hopes an inquiry will reveal the truth about the lead-up to his daughter’s death and save other children.
Law & Order
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THE father of murdered tot Sanaya Sahib hopes a government inquiry will reveal the truth about the lead-up to his daughter’s death and save other children.
Sameer Sahib said it was too late for his 14-month-old but not for others.
In a final gift to his beloved little girl, Mr Sahib has built the tiny coffin in which she will be laid to rest tomorrow.
Mr Sahib said that since January he had battled authorities to be able to see his daughter, whose mother, Sofina Nikat, is charged with her murder. He had also consulted a family lawyer. The pair separated last July.
SANAYA’S MUM ABSENT FROM COURT
It’s unclear whether authorities were alerted or acted when, less than a week before the toddler’s death, paramedics treated her for a seizure thought to be triggered by smothering.
“She shouldn’t have been in that environment,’’ Mr Sahib said.
“I do not want other people to go through this.
“Nothing will bring my daughter back — all we can do is prevent it from happening to other people.”
State families and children minister Jenny Mikakos has requested the Commissioner for Children and Young People investigate Sanaya’s death to determine whether the department of health and human services and related agencies followed protocols.
Mr Sahib said that when he and his wife separated he had offered to rent a place for her and their daughter, but she had refused.
He was allegedly restricted from contact with Sanaya, seeing her for the first time in some four months only last week when Ms Nikat phoned out of the blue. He said he would never forget those hours of bonding.
Hundreds are tomorrow expected to attend Sanaya’s funeral at Dandenong South’s Bunurong Memorial Park at 11.15am.
Mr Sahib, whose father has a cabinetmaking business, helped construct the little girl’s coffin, which doesn’t even stretch a metre. The family opted for a dark wood rather than white, as white usually represents happy times. Cushions have been placed inside.
“It’s just the least I could do for her,’’ Mr Sahib said.
“It will always be with her. I don’t know what day it is, I don’t know what hour it is. I am just trying to get through this second by second.”
Mr Sahib shared video of his estranged wife lovingly cuddling their daughter just days before her death.
In one of the clips, sent only last week, Sofina Nikat kisses the little girl several times on the cheek during a message to her daddy.
“Hello, How are you doing?’’ Ms Nikat says with the little girl gleefully.
“Miss you lots”.
WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
In another video the 14-month-old girl smiles as she is told “Love you”.
A vigil for Sanaya will be held at 11am today at Olympic Park, Heidelberg West, where she was reported missing.
A vigil for Sanaya will be held at 11am today at Olympic Park, Heidelberg West, where she was reported missing.