SHALINA PADMANABHA FROM BUCKHURST HILL CONVICTED OF KILLING SEVEN-MONTH-OLD CHILD IN EAST LONDON

In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Buckhurst Hill and the wider East London area, Shalina Padmanabha, aged 33, has been found guilty of causing the death of her seven-month-old daughter. The heartbreaking incident unfolded after a series of severe injuries were inflicted upon the infant, leading to her untimely demise.

Padmanabha, who had struggled for years to conceive, finally welcomed her daughter in February 2016 following successful IVF treatment. Her joy was short-lived, however, as the young girl suffered catastrophic injuries that ultimately proved fatal. The injuries included severe head trauma, fractured ribs, and bleeding behind the eyes, all of which pointed to a pattern of violent abuse.

During the proceedings at Inner London Crown Court, Padmanabha claimed she had no knowledge of what caused her child's injuries. She described her baby as a 'wriggly' infant, suggesting she was unaware of how the injuries occurred. Despite her claims, medical examinations painted a grim picture. A post-mortem examination revealed that the child's death was due to devastating head injuries, which the prosecution argued were inflicted either by forcefully hitting her head against a hard surface or by her mother physically striking her.

Further investigations, including a detailed skeleton scan and other medical assessments, uncovered multiple injuries. These included both recent and healing fractures to the skull, cracked ribs, and bleeding behind the eyes. The evidence indicated that the injuries were consistent with being shaken violently, squeezed by the ribs, and having her left leg pulled and twisted.

The court heard that some of these injuries dated back as far as three months, suggesting a prolonged period of abuse that spanned nearly half of the child's short life. The prosecution, led by Tracy Ayling QC, argued that Padmanabha was responsible for these injuries, which ultimately led to her daughter's death.

After a lengthy trial that lasted nearly 14 hours, the jury reached a verdict. Padmanabha was acquitted of murder but was convicted of manslaughter and cruelty towards a person under 16. The emotional moment saw her weep in the dock as the verdict was read.

The tragic story of the young girl did not end with her death. She had spent the first four and a half months of her life in hospital after being born prematurely with various medical complications. Once discharged, she required a specialized feeding tube, suffered from severe eczema, and had a small hole in her head. Her condition necessitated multiple surgeries and ongoing monitoring by health professionals to support her fragile health.

Shalina Padmanabha has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on July 19, where the full extent of her punishment will be determined.