A young girl who suffered 'unimaginable and life-altering injuries' at the hands of her mother was given 'the life she deserved' by her new family and died 'knowing she was loved', a detective has said.
The Attack
Sarah Ngaba 'brutally' attacked Eliza in a 'fit of rage' when she was just seven weeks old. She shook the infant, causing bleeding in her brain and eyes, and smashed her head off a hard surface. Ngaba then took a bath and bought a lottery ticket before taking Eliza to hospital.
The mother 'adjusted her lies in a calculated way to match new information' and 'did everything she could to avoid responsibility for what she had done', according to prosecutors.
Eliza's Life and Death
Eliza, who was left profoundly disabled by the assault, was taken into foster care, where her new family 'gave her the life she so much deserved'. Tragically, she died aged two on August 15, 2022, as a result of a respiratory infection. A court heard the infection would not have killed her had she not been left so vulnerable by the injuries inflicted by Ngaba 33 months earlier.
Sentencing
Ngaba was jailed for life on Friday, June 12, after being found guilty of Eliza's murder following an 11-day trial at Birmingham Crown Court last month. She will serve a minimum term of 12 years and 154 days. The six years and 211 days Ngaba had already served after being convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to her child were taken into consideration during the sentencing hearing.
Police Statement
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Holehouse, from West Mercia Police, said Ngaba should have been Eliza's 'greatest protector' but instead the youngster had 'endured the consequences of her mother's violence for the remainder of her tragically short life'. He added: 'She was an incredible little girl who despite her injuries and medical conditions was always smiling and laughing with those who loved her. Her new family gave her the life she so much deserved. She died knowing she was loved and continues to be loved by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her during her short life.'
Family Tribute
An emotional tribute from Eliza's family read: 'Our time with Eliza was too short and our hearts are broken. We are privileged to be Eliza's family. We love her dearly and miss her terribly every day.'
Prosecution Comment
Kate Seal, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'This is one of the most distressing cases I have encountered in my eight years as a prosecutor. Eliza was just seven weeks old, entirely defenceless, and dependent on her mother for care and protection. Sarah Ngaba inflicted catastrophic injuries on a defenceless baby and then did everything she could to avoid responsibility for what she had done. Her account changed repeatedly and in ways that served only her own interests. She initially blamed a walking stick, then Eliza's father, and when phone records and CCTV proved that was impossible, she changed her account again. Eliza should have been safe in her mother's care. Instead, her life was irrevocably damaged and, ultimately, cut short.'
