FAMILY HOLDS FUNERAL FOR MARIA SKOPOVA IN SHEFFIELD

A funeral for newborn Maria Skopova took place at St Marie’s Catholic Cathedral in Sheffield on Monday. Maria was found dead in an outhouse at a property in Holywell Heights, in Sheffield’s Wincobank area, on the day she was born. She had 33 wounds from 15 separate stabbings. Four named people, including her mother, Andrea Skopova, have been charged with her murder. Police said five people charged in connection with Maria’s death would not attend the funeral.

The other three named defendants are Andrea Skopova’s boyfriend, Peter Horvath Jnr, and his parents, Peter Horvath Snr and Nina Horvathova. Court proceedings had previously identified Maria as Baby S. Before the service, Maria’s grandfather kissed her small white casket outside the cathedral and carried it inside. He placed the casket near the altar. A card beside it carried a message signed “a mum”.

Rev Fr Chris Posluszny led the service and said Maria’s death had “affected the family so hard”. He said the family had asked why she died. Andrea Skopova, who is on remand, had asked to watch the service on YouTube from prison, Rev Fr Posluszny said. The ceremony took place mainly in Slovakian. A further private family service took place at a cemetery in Sheffield.