The father of a baby girl was making baby formula in the kitchen of a third-floor apartment when she was allegedly thrown out of a window by her mother, a court heard.
Mariam fell from a sash window at a property in Westminster, central London, on Saturday.
Her mother, Zahira Byjaouane, 43, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday and only confirmed her name, date of birth and address.
She was due to appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday charged with murder but failed to attend the hearing.
Philip McGhee, prosecuting, said the defendant’s husband called 999 at 7.30am on Saturday to report that a child had fallen from a window.
Flowers and stuffed animals near the Peabody Manor building on Horseferry Road – Lucy North/PA
The London Ambulance Service and police arrived within minutes and found Mariam lying on a concrete surface between a block of flats and high metal railings on Great Peter Street.
The 18-day-old baby fell about 32ft and was taken to hospital in a “critical” condition where he died at 9am from a skull fracture, the court heard.
The father was said to be making baby formula in the kitchen when the incident occurred.
Mr McGee said the husband ran outside and tried to contact Mariam without success before returning inside and calling 999.
An 18-day-old baby girl died after police blocked a road in Westminster – Lucy North/PA
Police entered the apartment and found Ms Byjaouane sitting on the bed.
She was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was charged with murder the next day.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC set a timetable for the case, with a plea hearing on June 3 and a 10-day interim trial from February 15, 2027.
The judge remanded the defendant in custody.
Try full access to The Telegraph for free now. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus helpful tools and expert guidance on your money, health and holidays.
