Woman guilty of murdering infant daughter

Sarah Ngaba, of HMP Foston Hall, was today, Thursday 21 May, found guilty of murder following an 11-day trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

During the trial the court heard how Ngaba, aged 32, assaulted her daughter Eliza at their home in Brookside, Telford, in November 2019 when she was just seven weeks old.

The assault caused Eliza a life-changing head injury leaving her profoundly disabled and vulnerable to severe complications from infection. Ngaba was jailed in May 2021 for 14 years for the assault, and Eliza was placed into foster care.

On 11 August 2022, Eliza was admitted to the Princess Royal Hospital with a respiratory infection, which she sadly died from four days later, on 15 August.

Evidence presented to the jury showed Eliza would not have died from such an infection had she not been left so vulnerable by the injuries inflicted by Ngaba 33 months earlier.

In May 2025 Ngaba was charged with murder following an investigation by West Mercia Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Holehouse, who was the senior investigating officer, said: “This was an utterly tragic case in which a young child suffered devastating injuries at the hands of the very person who should have protected her.

“Eliza lived with the consequences of that violence for the rest of her short life, and today’s verdict reflects the seriousness of the harm inflicted upon her.

“I want to pay tribute to everyone who supported this complex investigation. Our thoughts remain with those who loved Eliza, who provided her with nothing but love in her short life. We hope this outcome provides some measure of justice for Eliza.”

Eliza’s family paid tribute to her saying: “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.”

Ngaba is due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday 12 June.