Sofina Nikat faces court over death of toddler Sanaya Sahib
THE mother accused of killing her own toddler before blaming a barefoot African man has faced court for the first time today.
THE mother accused of killing her own toddler before blaming an African man who was barefoot and smelling of alcohol has faced court for the first time.
She appeared via video link but prosecutors successfully requested to adjourn the case for two weeks while evidence was analysed.
Sofina Nikat, 22, was charged with the murder of her 14-month-old baby Sanaya Sahib after the toddler was found dead in Darebin Creek in Melbourne’s northeast on April 10 just before 3pm.
Nikat reported to police the day before the grim discovery that her daughter was snatched from a pram by a barefoot man of African appearance, who reeked of alcohol.
Police appealed to the public for information about the man and no stories from witnesses aligned with the alleged claims made by Nikat.
CCTV footage captured the mother walking into Olympic Park, in Heidelberg West in Melbourne’s northeast, with her daughter.
She was later seen allegedly calmly walking out of the park with an empty pram.
On April 12, Nikat faced an out of sessions court in Melbourne and was charged with the baby’s death.
Homicide detective Stuart Bailey told the brief hearing Nikat made a full admission to police and was charged with one count of murder and did not apply for bail.
She covered her face with a copy of the Koran and was wearing a dark cardigan and thongs.
Nikat was supposed to face court the following day but was excused after being assessed by a psychiatric nurse and doctor while she was in custody.
Her lawyer Michael McNamara told the court it was Nikat’s “preference” not to be brought to the court from the cells below the building.
He told Magistrate Johanna Metcalfe there were serious concerns for Nikat’s mental state.
Welfare agencies in the weeks and months before Sanaya’s death were also being investigated by the Victorian government.
Families Minister Jenny Mikakos ordered a probe into how government agencies dealt with the family before the toddler’s death.
The Herald Sun reported in May detectives flew to Fiji to gather evidence into the toddler’s murder from family members.
Police believed they may have had significant details about the relationship between Sanaya and her mother.
The father of the slain toddler, Sameer Sahib, described his daughter as a bubbly girl.
Tributes were left for the toddler where her body was found, with flowers and toys scattered across the grass.
Nikat is expected to face court again August 31.