The baby allegedly fell from a London residential building on Saturday, March 14
Credit: Lucy North/PA Images via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Zahira Byjaouane, 43, was charged with murder after her 18-day-old baby fell from a London apartment
- Police believe the incident occurred within a domestic context and are urging anyone with information to come forward
- The mother remains in custody ahead of her court appearance as detectives continue their investigation into the tragedy
A London woman has been charged with the murder of her 18-day-old baby girl.
The Metropolitan Police announced via press release that Zahira Byjaouane, 43, has been taken into custody and charged on Sunday, March 15, just one day after authorities responded to "reports that a baby had fallen from a height from a residential property" in Westminster.
As PEOPLE previously reported, the fatal incident happened at about 7:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, March 14.
After being recovered from the scene, the newborn was transported to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and died, the police said. A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told BBC that the baby was taken to a major trauma center.
Credit: Lucy North/PA Images via Getty
On Saturday, the police arrested a previously unidentified woman — the baby's mother — at the scene on suspicion of murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, who is leading the Metropolitan Police investigation, said the police believe the baby’s death "occurred within a domestic context." He added, "At this stage, we believe the incident occurred within a domestic context, but we are appealing for anybody with information to come forward."
"Our thoughts today are with the baby’s family," Foxwell continued. "The death of an infant is always an extremely tragic occurrence, and officers are making urgent enquiries around the circumstances."
Forensic officers have since attended to the scene, per BBC. The team was seen working in a third-floor apartment along Horseferry Road on Saturday, according to The Guardian.
Credit: Lucy North/PA Images via Getty
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In an update on Sunday, the Metropolitan Police said Byjaouane remained in custody ahead of her appearance at the Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday, March 16.
Detectives from the Specialist Crime Command will continue to lead the investigation, which remains ongoing.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Metropolitan police for further comment.
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