MUM FROM WEST BROMWICH FOUND GUILTY OF MURDERING HER TWO-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER
A mum from West Bromwich has been found guilty of murdering her two-month-old daughter.Emergency services received a call to say a baby girl, Harleen, was unresponsive after falling from her mother’s lap on July 23, 2020.
Paramedics arrived at the West Bromwich home and found Harleen had suffered a serious head injury and her breathing was unstable.
The tot was taken to hospital but died from her injuries the next day.
A post-mortem found Harleen had suffered multiple skull fractures, bleeding on the brain, fractured ribs and a fractured collar bone.
The injuries were believed to have come from contact with a hard surface and were not consistent with a fall.
It was believed Harleen was also likely shaken.
Zara Arsalan was arrested and later charged with Harleen’s murder.
She had pleaded not guilty to killing her baby.
But a jury found the 31-year-old guilty of murdering her daughter at Coventry Crown Court on Friday (February 20).
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Poole, from West Midlands Police's Homicide Unit, said: “This is an incredibly tragic case.
Harleen was only two months old when she died at the hands of the person who should have been doing everything to keep her safe.
“Arsalan has never taken responsibility for her actions.
Instead, she has repeatedly lied about what happened to Harleen despite being shown evidence that rejects her claims.
“I want to thank all of the officers involved as I know they were deeply affected by this investigation.
They have worked incredibly hard to get justice for Harleen and her family.”
