Four people have been charged with murder following the death of a newborn baby girl in Sheffield. The infant, named only as Baby S, was found dead at a property in the Wincobank area on Sunday after police responded to reports concerning an infant's safety.

Andrea Skopova, 20, Peter Horvath Jnr, 19, Peter Horvath Snr, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning charged with the murder of Baby S. They were also charged with causing or allowing the death of a child and perverting the course of justice by taking steps to conceal the killing, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

A 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in a separate hearing later the same day, charged with perverting the course of justice.

Discovery and Investigation

Police were called to the Wincobank area of Sheffield on Sunday morning after receiving reports raising concerns about an infant's safety. Officers attended an address in Holywell Heights, where the baby was discovered.

A forensic post-mortem examination determined the baby's cause of death as stab wounds. According to prosecutors, Baby S had suffered 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings. The infant was found wrapped in a towel and in a blue bag in an outbuilding at the address, the court heard.

South Yorkshire Police Detective Chief Inspector Tom Woodward described the charges as "a significant step" in the investigation into "the tragic circumstances that resulted in the death of this baby girl." He thanked communities "who I know will have been deeply impacted by this traumatic incident," and urged the public to avoid speculating online while the legal process takes its course.

Court Proceedings

The four adult defendants were remanded in custody and are scheduled to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday. The 15-year-old girl was remanded in youth custody by District Judge Tim Spruce and will also appear at crown court on Thursday.

All defendants are Slovakian nationals, the court heard. Prosecutor Luke Hopkinson told the court that the baby's mother is the defendant Andrea Skopova. The father is unknown, he said. Skopova is the girlfriend of defendant Peter Horvath Jnr, who is the son of the other two adult defendants. Mr Hopkinson said Horvath Jnr is not believed to be the father.

During the nine-minute adult defendants' hearing, family members packed the courtroom, many in tears. The four adults stood wearing identical grey t-shirts, flanked by four security guards.

CPS Statement

Lauren Costello, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said the CPS had decided to prosecute four individuals with murder following a police investigation. A fifth individual has been charged with perverting the course of justice.

"Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings," she said. "We have worked carefully with South Yorkshire Police as they carried out their investigation."

She reminded all concerned that proceedings against the defendants are active and that they have the right to a fair trial. "It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings," she added.

Two women, aged 26 and 37, who were arrested on suspicion of murder remain on bail.

The charges are allegations, and all defendants will have the opportunity to defend themselves in court.