A woman has been found guilty of murdering her two-month-old daughter following a trial at Coventry Crown Court.
Zara Arsalan, 31, from Birmingham, denied killing baby Harleen in July 2020 but was convicted on Friday. She is due to be sentenced on 12 March.
West Midlands Police said emergency services were called to a property in West Bromwich on 23 July 2020 following reports that a baby girl had become unresponsive after allegedly falling from her mother’s lap.
Paramedics found Harleen with unstable breathing and a serious head injury. She was taken to hospital but died the following day.
A post-mortem examination found that the injuries were not consistent with a fall. The baby had sustained multiple skull fractures, bleeding on the brain, fractured ribs and a fractured collar bone. Medical findings concluded the injuries were more consistent with contact with a hard surface and that she had likely been shaken.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Poole described the case as “incredibly tragic”, stating: “She died at the hands of the person who should have been doing everything to keep her safe.”
He added that Arsalan had “repeatedly lied” about what happened despite being presented with evidence that contradicted her account.
Arsalan was arrested and later charged with murder. She remains in custody ahead of sentencing.
