MUM CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER DAUGHTER DIES
UPDATE 21/05/2026—————————————— GUILTY | A woman has been found guilty of murder following the death of two-year-old, Eliza Ngaba.Sarah Ngaba, of HMP Foston Hall, was today (Thursday 21 May) found guilty of murder following an 11-day trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
During the trial the court heard how Ngaba, aged 32, assaulted her daughter Eliza at their home in Brookside, Telford in November 2019 when she was just seven weeks old.
The assault caused Eliza a life-changing head injury leaving her profoundly disabled and vulnerable to severe complications from infection.
Ngaba was jailed in May 2021 for 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 showed Eliza would not have died from such an infection had she not been left so vulnerable by the injuries inflicted by Ngaba 33 months earlier.
In May 2025 Ngaba was charged with murder following an investigation by West Mercia Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Lee Holehouse, who was the senior investigating officer, said: “This was an utterly tragic case in which a young child suffered devastating injuries at the hands of the very person who should have protected her.
“Eliza lived with the consequences of that violence for the rest of her short life, and today’s verdict reflects the seriousness of the harm inflicted upon her.
“I want to pay tribute to everyone who supported this complex investigation.
Our thoughts remain with those who loved Eliza, who provided her with nothing but love in her short life.
We hope this outcome provides some measure of justice for Eliza.” Eliza’s 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.” Ngaba is due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday 12 June.
A tragic and deeply concerning case has unfolded in Telford, where Sarah Ngaba, a 30-year-old woman, has been formally charged with the murder of her young daughter, Eliza Ngaba, who was only two years old at the time of her death.
The heartbreaking incident occurred at The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford on August 15, 2022, marking a devastating event for the local community and raising serious questions about the circumstances leading to the child's death.
Eliza Ngaba had already endured a harrowing medical history prior to her passing.
When she was just two months old, she sustained severe injuries that resulted in permanent brain damage.
Medical reports from November 2019 described these injuries as both 'life-threatening and life-limiting,' highlighting the severity of her condition from an early age.
The trauma she experienced at such a tender age indicated a pattern of serious harm, which had already garnered significant concern from healthcare professionals and authorities.
In November 2020, Sarah Ngaba was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent related to her daughter's injuries.
She was subsequently sentenced to 14 years in prison at Stafford Crown Court, reflecting the gravity of her actions and the impact on her child's well-being.
Despite her incarceration, investigations into Eliza’s death continued, with West Mercia Police conducting further inquiries to determine if additional charges or actions were warranted following her passing.
Following the child's death, law enforcement officials issued a statement confirming the development of new charges.
They stated, “A woman has been charged with murder following the death of two-year-old Eliza Ngaba.” The police further clarified that Sarah Ngaba was held at HMP Foston Hall in Derbyshire at the time of the charge and was scheduled to appear before Telford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 6.
The authorities emphasized the ongoing nature of the case, indicating that they are still reviewing all the circumstances surrounding Eliza’s death to ensure justice is served.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community in Telford remains shaken by the tragic loss of a young life and the troubling history of abuse and harm that preceded her death.
The case underscores the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of child abuse, and the authorities are committed to uncovering the full truth behind this heartbreaking incident.
