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Thread: Sanaya Sahib (15 m-o) Snatched from her pram found dead in a Melbourne creek

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    Sanaya Sahib (15 m-o) Snatched from her pram found dead in a Melbourne creek

    Forensic police spend four hours combing the Melbourne home of murdered 15-month-old toddler Sanaya Sahib as her mother is taken in by police for 'welfare reasons'

    -Toddler Sanaya Sahib was found dead in a Melbourne creek on Sunday
    -Her mother, Sofina Nikat, said her daughter was snatched from her pram
    -Police spent four hours scouring family home after discovery of her body
    -Ms Nikat, 22, was taken by welfare workers to speak with investigators
    -The pair were staying with family as Ms Nikat separates from her partner

    Detectives investigating the death of a toddler, who was found dead in a creek after she was snatched from her pram, have spent four hours scouring the family home as welfare workers took the child's mother to police who she was helping with their inquiries.
    Police are continuing to speak to family members of the 15-month-old Sanaya Sahib whose mother Sofina Nikat, 22, told investigators a man who smelt of alcohol and not wearing any shoes took her daughter as they walked through Olympic Park in Heidelberg West, in Melbourne's north.
    Ms Nikat was seen leaving her home with two welfare workers on each arm as she was escorted to speak with police on Sunday, Ten News reported.

    The man, who Ms Nikat said followed herself and Sanaya in the park before pushing her to the ground and running off with her daughter about 10am on Saturday, was described as African in appearance, between 20 and 30 years old and about 1.8 metres tall.
    But the mother did not see his face.

    Less than 24 hours later, the toddler's body was found 'partially submerged' in Darebin Creek just before 3am on Sunday by a family who had seen social media posts about her disappearance and wanted to help.
    They were looking for the child so early in the morning because they themselves had been victims of a child disappearance, but lucky for them their loved one was returned.

    No one has been arrested and the investigation will continue, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
    Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Bailey said on Sunday it was not known how long the toddler's body had been in the water, and appealed for anyone who saw the incident, the child or her blue and yellow pram to come forward.
    'It is obviously extremely concerning for Victoria Police if this is a random abduction,' he told reporters.
    'But we're not closing off any lines of inquiry.'
    It is believed Sanaya and her mother, from Mitcham in Melbourne's east, were staying with family in Heidelberg West near the former 1956 Olympic Village following a separation from the tot's father.
    Both parents are said to be extremely distressed and have been helping police.

    The body is yet to be formerly identified and a post-mortem examination was due to be carried out on Sunday night.
    Locals said they were shocked at the grisly incident, which shook the tight-knit community.
    'It's really scary. You would hope someone would have seen it,' local Sophie said, according to the Herald Sun.
    'It's so scary that it could happen with so many people around. I don't want to say it's an unsafe neighbourhood, but it definitely makes you more mindful.'
    Other residents have started to lay flowers at the park in tribute to the baby girl.

    Sanaya's uncle Habib Ali claims the mother arrived home after her child was snatched, holding grave concerns and was screaming 'somebody took my child, somebody took my child', 9News reported.
    Following the discovery of her body, Mr Ali told Ten News the family were 'shocked, worried and devastated'.
    Ms Nikat was reportedly sitting on a bench when she noticed an African man in his mid 30s keeping a close eye on her, the Herald Sun reported.
    'She said someone was standing and watching her...but she didn't make anything of it,' Mr Ali said.
    Although Ms Nikat lived in Mitcham, about 20 minutes north-east of Heidelberg, Mr Ali said his sister visited frequently as he and his family were helping her through a separation with her partner.


    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz45V04w8R1
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    Here is an update I seen today. http://www.9news.com.au/national/201...-before-murder

    Murdered Melbourne girl Sanaya Sahib was treated by paramedics at her home one week before her body was found in a creek.

    Habib Ali confirmed to the Herald Sun that his 15-month-old niece had to be treated after a seizure at his home in Heidelberg West on April 3.

    The newspaper also said a post mortem had revealed Sanaya died of smothering, but police are yet to confirm her cause of death.

    Ambulance Victoria would not comment on why paramedics attended the home last week ? which is the same address Sanaya's family had been visiting when she was reported missing on Saturday ? but witnesses told the Herald Sun an ambulance was there for several hours.

    Police continue to hunt for the man believed to have snatched Sanaya from her 22-year-old mother Sofina Nikat and fled.

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    I am not buying the mother's story.

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    Administrator Olivia's Avatar
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    Me either.

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    Bingo
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    Mother has confessed to murder and been charged. So sad. Knew there was something fishy with her story! RIP little one x

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    Senior Member marshmallow's Avatar
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    I actually stayed up last night reading about this on another site. I'ma site whore, it's who I am. I am not surprised to see that Mom was arrested or that she confessed. I'm wondering what her defense will be and if the time line shifts.
    Marshmallow here is the one I liken to Ed Gein... Originally Posted by Heartbroken1


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    Administrator Olivia's Avatar
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    She shouldn't get a choice....


    The mother of slain toddler Sanaya Sahib has refused to appear before a magistrate after being charged with her daughter's murder.

    Sofina Nikat, 22, had been due to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over the death of her 14-month-old daughter, Sanaya Sahib, in West Heidelberg, but she declined to be brought into court from the cells below the building.

    Defence counsel Michael McNamara said a doctor and a psychiatric nurse had seen Ms Nikat while she was in custody, and both were concerned about what effect a court appearance would have on her.

    Ms Nikat was also concerned about entering a courtroom.

    "It's her preference not to be brought up," Mr McNamara said.

    Ms Nikat, of Mitcham, was arrested on Tuesday morning and faced an out-of-sessions court hearing on Tuesday night, where a bail justice was told she had made a "full confession to the murder" of her 14-month-old daughter, last Saturday.

    Sanaya's body was found in the Darebin Creek about 2.45am on Sunday.

    Ms Nikat was charged with murder on Tuesday.

    Mr McNamara told the court on Wednesday that a doctor and psychiatric nurse had seen Ms Nikat earlier that morning and were concerned about what effect a court appearance would have on her.

    The doctor and nurse wanted Ms Nikat to undergo a more detailed psychological assessment, Mr McNamara said.

    The court heard this was Ms Nikat's first time in custody and that she had mental-health issues.

    Asked by magistrate Joanne Metcalf if Ms Nikat was at risk of self harm, Mr McNamara said: "It's got to be a live issue."

    Prosecutor Susanna Locke told the court that telephone intercepts would need to be transcribed before Ms Nikat's next court appearance, and CCTV footage would need to be formatted correctly.

    Ms Nikat was remanded in custody and is due to return to court on August 3.

    There did not appear to be any of Ms Nikat's family members in court.

    Ms Nikat told police at the weekend her daughter had been snatched from her pram by a stranger while they were walking in Olympic Park about 10am on Saturday.

    She had described the stranger as a man of African appearance who was wearing no shoes and smelt of alcohol.

    The report sparked a massive search in the area involving police and volunteers.

    Channel Seven on Tuesday reported that police had obtained CCTV footage of a woman pushing a pram toward Darebin Creek on Saturday morning with an infant visible in the pram and then returned from the creek with the pram apparently empty.

    Ms Nikat had been staying at her brother's home in Perth Street, West Heidelberg, which is less than two kilometres from where Sanaya's body was found.

    The property was searched by forensic police on Sunday afternoon.


    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/sanay...#ixzz45fn9P5ZL
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    Ms Nikat was charged with murder on Tuesday.

    Mr McNamara told the court on Wednesday that a doctor and psychiatric nurse had seen Ms Nikat earlier that morning and were concerned about what effect a court appearance would have on her.

    The doctor and nurse wanted Ms Nikat to undergo a more detailed psychological assessment, Mr McNamara said.

    The court heard this was Ms Nikat's first time in custody and that she had mental-health issues.


    You know what? I'm so sad for this whole family. I'm not excusing the mothers actions by any means but I want to see better access to mental health services for vulnerable members of our community BEFORE not AFTER it becomes mandatory. We don't know what mental health issues the mother had or what she went through. Please don't eat me alive but I do feel very strongly that much child abuse and worse can be prevented with better support. Sounds like those who would know the signs could of given more help to help family and therefore this toddler. Rip Sanaya. X

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    Senior Member bermstalker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hoolihan View Post
    Ms Nikat was charged with murder on Tuesday.

    Mr McNamara told the court on Wednesday that a doctor and psychiatric nurse had seen Ms Nikat earlier that morning and were concerned about what effect a court appearance would have on her.

    The doctor and nurse wanted Ms Nikat to undergo a more detailed psychological assessment, Mr McNamara said.

    The court heard this was Ms Nikat's first time in custody and that she had mental-health issues.


    You know what? I'm so sad for this whole family. I'm not excusing the mothers actions by any means but I want to see better access to mental health services for vulnerable members of our community BEFORE not AFTER it becomes mandatory. We don't know what mental health issues the mother had or what she went through. Please don't eat me alive but I do feel very strongly that much child abuse and worse can be prevented with better support. Sounds like those who would know the signs could of given more help to help family and therefore this toddler. Rip Sanaya. X
    I think most of us on here would agree with you about the mental health services. We've seen cases like this way too many times.

    I do wonder if she had mental issues before the baby was born or if it just came after the baby? I would suspect a breakup with her ex didn't help issues.


    I'm always suspicious of any woman that yells "the black man took my baby but I didn't see his face"

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    Quote Originally Posted by bermstalker View Post
    I think most of us on here would agree with you about the mental health services. We've seen cases like this way too many times.

    I do wonder if she had mental issues before the baby was born or if it just came after the baby? I would suspect a breakup with her ex didn't help issues.


    I'm always suspicious of any woman that yells "the black man took my baby but I didn't see his face"
    Yes it totally sounded vague and there was good reason people suspected suspicious circumstances. Oh how devestating. Not the first, won't be the last but a little more hearbroken everytime i read about a story like this. I know that area well, too.

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    Aplogies, obviously new and clunky here.

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    NOT SAME CAT Fleta's Avatar
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    The guy in his mid thirties who was between 20 and 30, who had no shoes and smelled like booze, whom she noticed was watching her closely but thought nothing of it and never saw him?

    Yeah.

    I was also waiting to hear from the vicious mothers declaring they would murder a baby snatcher with their bare hands.

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    'I never thought I'd have to do that in my whole life': Father of 'murdered' Sanaya Sahib speaks out about the harrowing moment he had to identify his daughter's body - as family says they will hold a funeral for the 14-month-old on Saturday

    -Father of Sanaya Sahib has spoken out about being called to identify body
    -Sameer Sahib said he 'never thought he'd have to do that in his whole life'
    -Sofina Nikat, 22, was due to appear in Melbourne court on Wednesday
    -She was charged with murdering her toddler daughter Sanaya Sahib
    -Mr Sahib said the public are welcome to attend Saturday's funeral
    -A full investigation into the child's death will be launched on Thursday
    -Toddler's body was found in a creek at Heidelberg West on Sunday


    The father of slain Melbourne toddler Sanaya Sahib has spoken out for the first time about the devastating moment he was called in to identify his daughter's body.
    The 14-month-old's body was found in Darebin Creek in Heidelberg West on Sunday and her father Sameer Sahib said he joined the search party that morning, but was a 'bit too late'.
    'It was the worst day of my life,' he told Nine News.
    This comes as Mr Sahib revealed the little girl's funeral will be held on Saturday and the public are welcome to attend.

    Hundreds of people are expected to turn up to remember the 14-month-old, The Herald Sun reported.
    Sanaya's mother Sofina Nikat, 22, made a 'full confession' to killing the little girl on Saturday, and was due to front the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, but was excused due to her mental state.

    Mr Sahib said the little girl was 'bubbly' when he saw her three days before her death and Nikat appeared to be 'all right,' The ABC reported.
    He said he has been unable to eat or sleep since learning of Nikat's arrest.
    'I couldn't believe it, I just froze - how could a mother do something like that to her own child,' he said.
    'We both brought her into the world. How can she do that?
    'I had to go and identify the body, I never think i'd do that in my whole life- not to my own daughter.'
    A full investigation into the little girl's death will be launched on Thursday to determine whether 'strict protocols' were adhered to by agencies and services 'sharing information about children'.
    The court heard health professionals had assessed Nikat in custody and were worried about her appearing.

    Lawyer Michael McNamara said Nikat herself had asked not to appear in the court.
    The risk of her self-harming was a 'live issue' and it was believed she was already in protected custody, he said.
    The brief hearing took place without Nikat and she was remanded in custody to reappear in August.
    Nikat was charged on Tuesday with murdering her daughter after she made a 'full confession' to police at an out-of-sessions court hearing.
    Sanaya's body was found in the Darebin Creek on Sunday less than 24 hours after Nikat had told police on Saturday her daughter had been snatched from her pram in a Heidelberg West park.
    The toddler's disappearance sparked a large search that included mounted police, the police airwing, SES volunteers and members of the public.
    At the time Nikat told police a barefoot man of African appearance and smelling of alcohol had pushed her to the ground and snatched the toddler.
    She said she gave chase but couldn't catch him.

    Nikat and her daughter had been staying with relatives in Heidelberg West after a separation between Nikat and Sanaya's father.
    The court heard it was Nikat's first time in custody, and she would be further assessed by mental health professionals while in prison.
    CCTV footage related to the alleged crime will be formatted and telephone intercepts will be transcribed.
    Social workers who worked with Nikat after her daughter's death were in court for the brief hearing.
    Bail was formally refused.
    It comes after Mr Sahib revealed his estranged wife told him to come and visit the little girl four days before she was found dead in a creek, the Herald Sun reports.
    Mr Sahib said that after blocking his calls for six months, his former wife Sofina Nikat rang to ask him to visit the toddler.
    'She just said it's been a long time, come see her,' he said.

    Mr Sahib, who has been separated from Nikat for a year, said he has been unable to eat or sleep since learning of her arrest.
    'I just feel sick in my stomach,' he said.
    Mr Sahib said he is now focusing on organising a funeral service for Sanaya.
    After Nikat was charged on Tuesday, police released chilling CCTV footage of a woman pushing a baby in a pram toward Darebin Creek.
    Earlier, an autopsy has reportedly revealed Sanaya died due to smothering and Nikat was taken to a secret location by welfare workers to speak with police on Sunday.
    It comes after Sanaya's grieving uncle, Habib Ali, revealed the toddler was treated by an ambulance for a 'seizure' just a week before she died.
    Mr Ali told reporters on Monday she was 'a cute little kid' who 'didn't deserve it'.
    'Whoever done it, shame on him, he's a coward and ....shouldn't have done what he had done,' Mr Ali said.


    Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz45jfHmS3b
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    Moderator bowieluva's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by herculesboat View Post
    Thanks for the information

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