July 2023

Woman convicted of murder of 11 week-old baby

A mother and father have been convicted over the torture and death of their 11-week-old baby, who died after suffering 21 rib fractures, broken wrists and his skull was fractured in two places

Baby Malik died on 19 August 2020 after being found unresponsive by his mother Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda at an address in Harlow, Essex.

On Wednesday, Goncalves-Taborda was convicted of murder, while father Muritala Olaiya-Imam was convicted of allowing the death of a child.

The jury also found them both guilty of child cruelty and perverting the course of justice.

Around 10am on Wednesday 19 August, 2020, emergency services were called to an address in Harlow after 11 week-old Malik was found unresponsive by his mother, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda.

Sadly, despite the best efforts by paramedics, Malik was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem found he died of a head injury.

Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda was also convicted of assault on of the emergency workers.

When questioned by police, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda stated that she awoke at 9.30am to find her baby son lifeless in bed beside her and that she contacted ambulance immediately.

As part of the police investigation, Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda was required to provide a sample of urine for drug and alcohol analysis.

Officers discovered she had plotted with partner Muritala Olaiya-Imam to contaminate her sample by mixing their urine samples.

A blood sample provided by Eloddie Goncalves-Taborda identified the presence of cannabis and alcohol, placing her one-and-a-half times over the legal drink drive limit.

Upon examination, Malik’s small body had 21 rib fractures, broken wrists and his skull was fractured in two places. The injuries were indicative of shaking and a blunt impact trauma to his head.  

Expert evidence at the six-week trial confirmed that his injuries were more likely non-accidental, the majority of which were caused between two and 12 hours prior to his death. The baby’s left wrist was fractured 3-6 days prior to death.

Throughout the investigation by Essex and Kent Police’s Serious Crime Directorate, both mother and father denied responsibility for Malik’s death and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Police said the injuries were indicative of shaking and a blunt impact trauma to his head, with a post-mortem finding he died of a head injury.  

Throughout the investigation by Essex and Kent Police’s serious crime directorate, both denied responsibility for Malik’s death and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

On Wednesday at Chelmsford Crown Court, Goncalves-Taborda, 32 and Olaiya-Imam, 36, formerly of Dagenham, were convicted of all charges.

The pair will be sentenced at a later date.