A four-year-old boy allegedly murdered by his own mother was stabbed todeath before being found dead in his cot, the Old Bailey has heard.
Kobi Macharia Dooly was found fatally injured when police arrived at his mother Keziah Macharia’s home in Montague Road, Dalston, in Hackney on December 20.
Macharia, 41, was arrested at the home that night and has since been charged with Kobi’s murder.
She appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from HMP Bronzefield on Thursday for a preliminary hearing.
Prosecutor Louise Oakley said Metropolitan Police officers arrived at the home at just before 11pm following a 999 call.
“Kobi was located inside his cot. He was cold to touch. He had sustained a number of sharp force injuries”, she said.
“Despite the very best efforts of emergency services, and being transferred to the Royal London Hospital, Kobi was declared dead at 12.16amon 21 December 2023.”
Ms Oakley said a provisional cause of death is knife injuries including to Kobi’s neck and upper chest.
Macharia wept and wiped away tears throughout the court hearing, as details of the murder allegation were revealed.
Judge Lynn Tayton KC remanded Macharia in custody at Thursday's hearing, and set a timetable for the case.
Macharia is expected to return to court to enter a plea on March 21 next year, while a provisional trial date has been set for November 4.
In the aftermath of Kobi’s death, his father Ben Dooly paid tribute to his son, saying: “With heavy hearts we bid farewell to Kobi, you will be so dearly missed.
“The joy and laughter you brought to the world has been taken far too soon, we will be thinking of you day and night for eternity until we meet you again.
“The family would like to acknowledge and appreciate all messages of support, please respect our family privacy at this very difficult time."
