ELODDIE GONCALVES AND MURITALA OLAIYA-IMAM CONVICTED IN HARLOW FOR BABY MALIK'S BRUTAL MURDER

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Harlow, Essex, a mother and father have been found guilty of the horrific torture and subsequent death of their 11-week-old baby, Malik. The incident, which took place on August 19, 2020, revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that ultimately led to Malik’s untimely demise.

On that fateful morning, emergency services were dispatched to an address in Harlow after Malik’s mother, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda, discovered her infant son unresponsive. Despite the rapid response and efforts by paramedics, Malik was declared dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was a severe head injury, with additional evidence pointing to extensive physical trauma.

The examination of Malik’s fragile body uncovered 21 fractured ribs, broken wrists, and a skull fractured in two separate places. Medical experts testified during the six-week trial that these injuries were consistent with non-accidental trauma, including shaking and blunt force impacts. The injuries were determined to have occurred within a window of two to twelve hours prior to Malik’s death, with the fractured wrist having happened three to six days earlier.

Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda, aged 32, was also convicted of assaulting one of the emergency workers who responded to the scene. During police questioning, she claimed to have woken at approximately 9:30 am to find her baby unresponsive in bed beside her and immediately called for help. However, her account was challenged by evidence gathered during the investigation.

Further inquiries revealed that Goncalves-Taborda and her partner, Muritala Olaiya-Imam, 36, formerly of Dagenham, had conspired to tamper with her urine sample to evade drug testing. Police discovered that they had planned to contaminate her sample by mixing their urine. A blood test confirmed the presence of cannabis and alcohol in her system, with her blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit for driving by one and a half times.

Throughout the investigation, both parents maintained their innocence, denying any responsibility for Malik’s injuries or death. They also denied attempting to obstruct justice. Nonetheless, evidence presented at the trial proved their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The jury found Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda guilty of murder, while Muritala Olaiya-Imam was convicted of allowing the death of a child, child cruelty, and perverting the course of justice.

Both defendants appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court to face justice. The court’s verdict was delivered on a Wednesday, and the pair are scheduled for sentencing at a later date. The community and Malik’s family await further legal proceedings, which will determine the severity of their sentences for these heinous crimes.