NAIYAMHI YASHARAHYALAH'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN BIRMINGHAM HANDSWORTH: BOY'S BODY BURIED IN GARDEN

The tragic case of a young boy’s death has culminated in the arrest and conviction of his parents, who are now serving time behind bars. The parents of a boy named Abiyah, whose body was discovered buried in the garden of their Handsworth residence, have been found guilty of causing his death and concealing his remains. This heartbreaking incident dates back to December 2022, when the authorities uncovered the grim truth about the boy’s fate.

43-year-old Naiyamhi Yasharahyalah, a graphic designer by profession, was judged by a jury at Coventry Crown Court earlier this month. The court found him guilty of the charges brought against him, and this afternoon, he was sentenced to a term of 19 years and six months in prison. The case has drawn significant attention due to the disturbing circumstances surrounding the boy’s death and the neglect involved.

It was revealed that Abiyah’s body had been buried in the garden of the family’s Handsworth home, a suburb of Birmingham, after he had died nearly three years prior. The exact time of his death is believed to be between December 2019 and January 2020, when he was approximately three years and nine months old. His death was not officially registered, as the parents reportedly believed that registering it was not aligned with their cultural beliefs or practices.

The discovery of the boy’s remains came after detectives reviewed videos posted online in 2016, which featured images of a young child alongside a man, under titles such as “like father, like son.” These videos, which showed Tai and a young boy, prompted investigators to question the parents about their son’s whereabouts. When confronted, the couple admitted that Abiyah had been unwell and had died, but they did not disclose the circumstances at the time.

Following the revelation, authorities conducted a forensic archaeological examination of the garden, which led to the recovery of the boy’s remains. A post-mortem examination was carried out, but the cause of death could not be definitively determined. However, the examination revealed severe health issues, including malnutrition, rickets, anemia, stunted growth, bone deformities, fractures, severe dental decay, compromised immunity, and a painful condition where bones failed to fuse properly after fractures.

In early 2022, the parents were evicted from their Handsworth home. They subsequently moved into a shipping container in the southwest area of Birmingham before relocating into a caravan. Their movements and attempts to conceal the boy’s death led to their arrest on December 9, 2022. They faced charges of causing or allowing the death of a child, neglect, and perverting the course of justice.

Detective Inspector Joe Davenport, who led the investigation, expressed his dismay at the case. He stated, “In Abiyah’s short life, his parents failed to provide the most basic of care to him – namely adequate food and medical care. Instead, they hid him from the authorities, and prioritized their cultural practices and beliefs over his wellbeing.”

He further explained that medical experts testified during the trial that Abiyah would have been in significant pain, suffering from dental decay and untreated bone fractures. The parents rejected Western medicine, which meant that Abiyah was never properly checked or treated during his formative years. Despite their claims of ignorance regarding his malnutrition, the physical evidence showed that his body was severely underdeveloped for his age.

DI Davenport concluded, “This has been a heart-breaking case for everyone involved in the investigation. I am relieved that justice has been served for Abiyah, and hope that this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and ensuring their basic needs are met.”