In a heartbreaking conclusion to a deeply troubling case, a UK- Zimbabwean based 30-year-old nurse Shilyrand Charigwati has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her 2-year-old daughter, Roselyn.
Charigwati was found guilty of suffocating her daughter with a plastic bag in their home in April 2024. The court has set a minimum term of 16 years before she is eligible for parole.
During the trial, Charigwati admitted to manslaughter but insisted that a mental illness afflicted her during the tragic incident, claiming she had no recollection of the events.
However, after careful deliberation, the jury concluded that she acted with intent, leading to her conviction for murder.
Prosecutors revealed that underlying motives for the crime stemmed from Charigwati’s feelings of revenge against Roselyn’s father, Washington, especially after she lost custody of the child in late 2023.
The judge characterized Charigwati’s actions as a “shocking abuse of trust” and noted that while she faced significant mental health challenges, her “unusual anger” towards the child’s father was a driving force in her decision to take Roselyn’s life.
In an emotional victim impact statement, Washington described his daughter as “joyful, playful, beautiful” and detailed the profound loss he has experienced.
He referred to Roselyn as his “little best friend,” emphasizing the deep bond they shared before her untimely death.
Following the incident, Charigwati called the police herself, expressing concern that she may have harmed her daughter.
