Mother who left newborn son in woodland to die is sentenced

A mother who left her newborn baby son to die in woodland in the New Forest has today been jailed for life with a minimum of nine years.

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Silipa Keresi was convicted of murder by a jury after it was heard she had wrapped baby Malakai in a towel and left him by a tree off Shore Road, Hythe.

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Maliki was found by a member of the public on the afternoon of March 5, 2020, with Keresi arrested two days later after our investigations led us to her.

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Keresi, of Pylewell Road, Hythe, denied murder and an alternate charge of infanticide. She was found guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.

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The judge, Mr Justice Garnham QC, sentenced her to life in prison, with a minimum term of nine years before she can be considered for parole.

In sentencing, he said: "The abandonment of Malakai was an act of desperation by a vulnerable woman, facing challenging circumstances. The emotional affect of your giving birth outdoors and unaccompanied was profound."

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Speaking after the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Acting DCI Adam Edwards said: "The death of baby Maliki Keresi is truly heartbreaking and no sentence will ever be able to bring him back or give him the life he deserved.

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"I want to take this chance to speak to any new or expecting mothers who find themselves in a situation or circumstance which may lead them considering such extreme actions as those we have seen in this case; please know, there is always help out there for you.

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"There are many organisations, charities and professionals who can provide you with support and advice.

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"Today's sentencing is the culmination of many hours of hard work by our investigation team, and the work of experts who provided important evidence."