Parents Found Guilty of Baby Eva’s Death in Shocking Mitcham Case
Clare Sanders, 43, and Tomas Vaitkevicius, 45, both from Streatham Road, Mitcham, faced justice at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, 6 October. On Friday, 13 November, the pair were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of their one-month-old daughter, Eva Sanders.
Baby Eva Found Unresponsive — Taken to Hospital on Life Support
At 2:37am on 1 September 2017, London Ambulance Service called police after reports a one-month-old girl was unresponsive at a Streatham Road address. Baby Eva was rushed to hospital and placed on life support but tragically passed away just before 7pm on 2 September.
Investigation Reveals Multiple Non-Accidental Injuries
Eva’s death was initially a mystery but soon detectives uncovered horrifying details. The Child Abuse Investigation Team found Eva had suffered repeated non-accidental injuries to her head, ribs, and eye. Medical experts confirmed these injuries happened multiple times during her short life.
Homicide detectives, led by Detective Inspector Will White, launched a full murder inquiry. Clare Sanders and Tomas Vaitkevicius were arrested on suspicion of murder on 29 September 2017. They were formally charged on 3 April 2018 with murder and causing or allowing Eva’s death.
Detective Issues Heartbreaking Statement
“This is a tragic case where baby Eva died from extensive injuries at just 28 days old. Medical evidence in the case was emphatic in determining that the injuries sustained were non-accidental. Neither parent offered any explanation to account for Eva’s injuries, and today they have been found guilty of causing or allowing Eva’s death. This is a tragic loss of an innocent life at the hands of those who were meant to love and care for her.”
— Detective Inspector Will White, Specialist Crime South
