A three-month-old baby who was allegedly shaken to her death by her parents was caught in the middle of their toxic relationship, a court has heard.
Kaylani Kalanzi was admitted to Homerton Hospital in Hackney, east London, at around 10.30pm on July 8 after suffering catastrophic brain injuries as well as a broken leg and ribs.
She died 15 days later, with her parents Herbert Kalanzi, 35, and Nazli Merthoca, 24, both from East Ham, accused of murder and causing or allowing her death.
At an Old Bailey hearing today, jurors heard how Kaylani was known to social services and had been placed on a child protection plan amid the pair's alleged tumultuous relationship.
Prosecutor Zoe Johnson KC said the defendants were in a 'mutually abusive relationship' with Merthoca consuming drugs which made Kaylani vulnerable to harm.
