Funeral of newborn baby Maria Skopova is ‘important step’

The funeral of a newborn baby who was stabbed to death has been described by a parish priest as “an important moment” for the family as they try to rebuild their lives.

Maria Skopova was found dead at a house in Holywell Heights, Sheffield, on 30 August, the day she was born, having suffered 33 wounds.

Her mother, Andrea Skopova, 20, along with Peter Horvath, 19, Peter Horvath, 38, and Nina Horvathova, 37, have all been charged with murder, while a 15-year-old girl has been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Rev Fr Chris Posluszny, who led the service at St Marie’s Cathedral on Monday, said the infant’s death had “affected the family so hard”.

The rain stopped just before the funeral car arrived and the baby’s grandfather appeared holding a small bright-white casket.

There was a moment of silence on the street outside as he broke down in tears and kissed the casket before carrying it in both arms through the doors of the cathedral.

Inside, he placed the casket by the altar and crouched, sobbing over it.

A card placed alongside it read: “For Baby Maria. The purest souls never stay too long in this world. With love from a mum x.”

Maria’s mother, who is on remand, had asked to be able to watch the service on YouTube from prison, Rev Fr Posluszny said.