A mother, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda, and father, Muritala Olaiya-Imam, have been found guilty of the torture and death of their 11-week-old infant, who succumbed after enduring 21 rib fractures, shattered wrists, and a skull fracture in two locations.
Infant Malik passed away on 19 August 2020 after being discovered unconscious by his mother, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda, at a location in Harlow, Essex.
On Wednesday, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda was found guilty of murder, while his father, Muritala Olaiya-Imam, was convicted of permitting the death of a child.
The jury additionally convicted both individuals of child maltreatment and obstructing justice.
At approximately 10 am on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, emergency services were summoned to a location in Harlow when 11-week-old Malik was discovered unresponsive by his mother, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda.
Regrettably, despite the paramedics’ diligent attempts, Malik was declared deceased at the site. An autopsy revealed that he succumbed to a cranial injury.
Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda was also convicted of assaulting an emergency worker.
Upon interrogation by law enforcement, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda reported that she awakened at 9:30 AM to discover her infant boy deceased in bed alongside her and that she promptly summoned emergency services.
In the course of the police inquiry, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda was mandated to submit a urine sample for drug and alcohol testing.
Officers uncovered that she had conspired with her lover, Muritala Olaiya-Imam, to adulterate her sample by amalgamating their urine specimens.
A blood sample from Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda revealed the presence of cannabis and alcohol, exceeding the legal driving limit by one-and-a-half times.
Upon inspection, Malik’s diminutive physique exhibited 21 rib fractures, shattered wrists, and a cranium with two fractures. The injuries suggested shaking and blunt force trauma to the skull.
Expert testimony during the six-week trial established that his injuries were predominantly non-accidental, with most occurring between two and twelve hours before his demise. The infant’s left wrist sustained a fracture 3-6 days before demise.
During the inquiry conducted by the Serious Crime Directorate of Essex and Kent Police, both the mother and father refuted any accountability for Malik’s demise and for seeking to obstruct justice.
Authorities indicated that the injuries suggested both shaking and blunt force trauma to the head, with the autopsy revealing that he succumbed to a head injury.
During the inquiry conducted by the severe crime directorate of Essex and Kent Police, both parties refuted any accountability for Malik’s demise and for seeking to obstruct justice.
On Wednesday at Chelmsford Crown Court, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda, 32, and Muritala Olaiya-Imam, 36, previously of Dagenham, were found guilty of all charges.
The duo will get their sentencing at a subsequent date.
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