Accused baby killer refuses to leave cell
UPDATE: The mother of slain toddler Sanaya Sahib has refused to appear before a magistrate after being charged with her daughter's murder, Fairfax media reports.
Sofina Nikat, 22, had been due to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday over the death of her 14-month-old daughter, Sanaya Sahib, in West Heidelberg, but she declined to be brought into court from the cells below the building.
It's being reported that Nikat's defence counsel said she was concerned about entering a courtroom.
EARLIER: THE mother of a 13 month-old baby found dead near a creek in Olympic Park, Melbourne about 2.45am on Sunday has confessed to killing her child.
Sofina Nikat, 22, of Mitcham, faced a Melbourne Magistrates Court about 6pm tonight.
All bare-foot African men with alcohol on their breath have been cleared. What a disgrace. 22 year-old woman arrested over Sanaya murder
— Heath Aston (@HeathJAston) April 12, 2016
Prosecutors said Nikat had given a full confession.
In the hour leading up to the court appearance Seven News Melbourne reported it had obtained CCTV footage from the park where the baby, Sanaya Sahib, was found.
TONIGHT | Sanaya Sahib murder charges. Shocking EXCLUSIVE pictures that led to the dramatic police breakthrough. pic.twitter.com/wZrGY5KDQJ
— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) April 12, 2016
The mother had earlier told authorities her baby was snatched by a barefoot African man whose breath smelt of alcohol - that story was quickly condemned for unduly flaring racial tensions in the moments after the charges were revealed.
Nikat made no application for bail during her court appearance.
