Cops: help us find ‘baby killer couple’

Published Mar 14, 2015

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Johannesburg - In her birth photo, baby Alaia Adam-Shaik lay snugly wrapped in blankets in her cot at Netcare’s Park Lane Hospital. Her mom and dad would proudly announce her “first words” as: “My debut!!!”

Netcare’s birth notice, Netcute, declared that Baby Alaia weighed 2.57kg and was 49cm in length.

But just five months later, the infant would be dead, allegedly murdered by her parents, Junaid Mohamed Shaik, 32, and his partner, Stacey-Lee van der Ross, 29.

Nearly three years later, the couple from Florida Glen, west of Joburg, are on the run from authorities.

They are facing charges of murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and child abuse, and stand accused of severely harming the infant from her birth in May 2012.

The couple appeared in the South Gauteng High Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, in October, and their trial had been set down for February 23 in the Johannesburg High Court – but they didn’t arrive. On Monday, they again failed to appear in court.

Gauteng provincial spokeswoman Colonel Noxolo Kweza told the Saturday Star this week that police had launched a manhunt for the couple. She has appealed to the public for help.

The police, she said, had obtained Shaik’s passport. “We are hoping they couldn’t have skipped the country because we have it.”

The couple’s relatives say they don’t know where they have fled.

“We’re in contact with their relatives, but so far, no luck… We can’t talk much about this case now, because it is in court.”

It emerged in court last year that Alaia’s tiny legs were broken, and she had numerous other injuries.

The abuse allegedly took place from her birth on May 11, 2012, until her death on October 12 that year.

The National Prosecuting Authority said the couple’s R5 000 bail had been revoked and arrest warrants had been issued.

“The matter is being investigated by the police. Under the circumstances the court will authorise a warrant of arrest. The police will obtain this warrant from the clerk of the court, circulate it and look for the accused.”

* If you have any information on the couple’s whereabouts, please contact Colonel Noxolo Kweza at: [email protected]

 

Saturday Star

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