Woman jailed for daughter’s murder

A woman has been jailed for life for the murder of her two-year-old daughter, Eliza Ngaba.

 

 

Sarah Ngaba, of HMP Foston Hall, was today (Friday 12 June) handed the sentence at Birmingham Crown Court after she was found guilty of murder following a 11-day trial last month (May).

During the trial the court heard how on the 13 November 2019, Ngaba assaulted Eliza when she was seven weeks old at her home in Brookside, Telford.

At 8.01am a friend video called Ngaba, where he could see Eliza physically shaking and advised that she call an ambulance and go to A&E. Ngaba did not do this and instead took a bath.

Around 10 minutes later Ngaba called to book a taxi, and despite being told no taxis were available until 8.50am she proceeded to make the booking showing no urgency to get to hospital.

CCTV footage then shows Ngaba leave her address at 8.40am, where she walked to a nearby shop and bought a lottery ticket. The taxi then arrived at 9.05am and took Ngaba and Eliza to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. When they arrived Ngaba chose not to go to A&E but instead went through triage.

Doctors found that Eliza had a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain, and she was transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where Ngaba was later arrested.

During police interview Ngaba said, ‘I accept I lost my self-control and struck her. I have a bad temper, and I cannot remember exactly what happened’.

Ngaba was later found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent. In May 2021 she was handed 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 (15 August).

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

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

 

 

Ahead of the trial Ngaba pleaded guilty to infanticide. Her defence argued she was not of a sound mind during the assault on Eliza due to a disturbance of the mind caused by her not having recovered from the effects of childbirth.

However, the judge ordered the murder trial to continue, and a jury found her guilty of murder on 21 May, 2026. Today, the judge handed Ngaba a life sentence with a minimum term of 19 years. *

Detective Chief Inspector Lee Holehouse, who led the investigation into Eliza’s death, said: “This is an utterly heartbreaking case in which a young child suffered unimaginable and life-altering injuries at the hands of the very person who should have been her greatest protector.

“Eliza endured the consequences of her mother’s violence for the remainder of her tragically short life, carrying both the physical and emotional burden of what was done to her.

“The life sentence given to Ngaba reflects not only the severity of the harm inflicted upon Eliza, but also the childhood so cruelly taken away by the person who was meant to love and cherish her.

“We will never fully understand why Ngaba assaulted Eliza when she was just seven weeks old. She has shown no remorse throughout either of our investigations and continues to take no responsibility for the suffering she caused Eliza.”

DCI Holehouse continued: “I now want to take this moment to remember Eliza. 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.

“I want to thank her family for never giving up on getting justice for Eliza, and for their patience and cooperation throughout this incredibly complex investigation.

“We hope today brings them some form of closure to allow them to move forward with their lives, with the good memories of Eliza who was an incredibly special little girl.”

Kate Seal of the Crown Prosecution Service added: “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. Our thoughts remain with all those who loved her.”

Eliza’s foster 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.”

*In 2021, Ngaba was sentenced to 14 years for the assault on Eliza, due to the time already served for assault she will be eligible for parole after serving 12 years and 154 days.