australian Woman charged over death of toddler

**Justiceforallkids** Tue 12 Apr - 11:26

Woman charged over death of toddler

A WOMAN has been charged over the murder of toddler Sanaya Sahib.

The woman, a 22-year-old from Heidelberg West, will face an out of sessions hearing this afternoon.

Sanaya’s body was found in the Darebin Creek early Sunday after her mother claimed a man of African appearance snatched her daughter from her pram at Olympic Park the day before.
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Her mum said she gave chase but, unable to keep up with the offender, returned home with the stroller and raised the alarm.

Her grieving uncle earlier revealed an ambulance was called to treat tot Sanaya just a week before her shocking death,.

The 15-month-old was treated for a “seizure” when paramedics attended the Heidelberg West home on Sunday, April 3.

The Herald Sun understands the post mortem is expected to show that the little girl died by smothering.

However police media said the results have not been finalised.

Her mother, Sofina Nikat, who says a shoeless stranger smelling of alcohol snatched her beloved baby, was last night staying with social workers at an undisclosed location.

She was said to be in a “hysterical state of mind”.

Family revealed Sanaya’s father, Sameer Sahib, was struggling to comprehend his daughter’s death.

The girl’s grandparents on her mother’s side were preparing to fly to Australia from Fiji.

Paramedics treated Sanaya for a seizure at her uncle Habib Ali’s home in Perth St on Sunday, April 3, the same house the family had been visiting when the little girl was reported missing on Saturday.

Ambulance Victoria would not comment for privacy reasons, but a witness said the ambulance was at the home for several hours.

Mr Ali said: “She ended up going to the hospital but she was fine, it was nothing really.”

He said the family remained mystified at Sanaya’s alleged abduction and murder.

“Whatever happened, she didn’t deserve it. She was a 15-month-old kid. We just don’t know why this has happened and whoever has done it. Shame on him. He’s a coward.”

Irfaaz Ali, Sanaya’s cousin, said nothing was unusual about the hours leading up to the alleged abduction. “Nothing special, just kicking back,” he said.

“She took her baby for a walk and just came back saying that, you know, something, like, she got pushed and the baby got taken.”

Heidelberg United Football Club last night observed a minute’s silence for Sanaya before a soccer match against Port Melbourne.

7 News Australia
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‪#‎BREAKING‬: Out of sessions court hearing has heard Sofina Nikat made full confession she killed her daughter.