Parents Sentenced for Toddler's Death After Brutal Abuse Campaign
A two-year-old girl, described as a "happy, smiling, beautiful child," died from catastrophic brain injuries after being violently shaken by her mother following a sustained campaign of abuse by both parents. Omra Wali Jan suffered traumatic injuries that ultimately proved fatal, with her life support being withdrawn in February 2024 after medical intervention failed to save her.
Horrific Abuse and Fatal Assault
Omra Wali Jan endured weeks of brutal treatment at the hands of her parents, Morsal Mohammed Naim, 32, and Firooz Wali Jan, 32, before the final assault that ended her life. The court heard how the toddler had been beaten, burned, and bitten over multiple incidents throughout 2023, with both parents participating in or enabling the abuse.
On November 30, 2023, while Firooz Wali Jan was at work, Naim was left alone with their daughter. Phone records revealed suspicious activity during this period, including deleted calls to family members in Afghanistan and erased audio messages. When Omra was found unconscious and not breathing, Naim carried her to a neighbor while falsely claiming the child had choked on a biscuit.
Medical Evidence and Investigation
Paramedics initially struggled to gain access to the property, even suspecting a hoax call before eventually reviving the child. Omra was rushed to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital where medical examinations revealed devastating injuries. A CT scan showed she had suffered severe brain trauma including multifocal subdural haemorrhage, extensive hypoxic brain injury, and multiple retinal haemorrhages in her right eye.
The post-mortem examination confirmed the toddler died as a result of head injuries consistent with "extremely forceful shaking." Medical evidence presented in court indicated the injuries were inflicted deliberately with implements used as weapons or through biting, with each attack causing extreme pain to the defenseless child.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Following a two-day sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court, both parents received substantial prison sentences for their roles in Omra's death and the preceding abuse. Naim, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the third day of her murder trial, was sentenced to nine years imprisonment. Her husband, Firooz Wali Jan, received six years and nine months for child cruelty.
Prosecutor John Elvidge KC told the court: "Neither parent was kept in the dark. Both enabled and acquiesced in the forcible and deliberate infliction of severe injuries on Omra by one or both, over a period of time. With each extra attack, this complicity inevitably increased."
Judicial Condemnation and Police Response
Mr Justice Turner, presiding over the case, described the parents' behavior as "sadistic" and cited multiple incidents of serious cruelty, use of weapons, deliberate disregard for their daughter's welfare, and failure to protect the victim. The judge noted that Naim had never explained why she attacked her daughter, what form the assault took, or what happened in the aftermath.
Philip Reade, GMP's senior investigating officer, stated: "Everyone who has been involved in this case has been deeply moved by the tragic circumstances of Omra's death. The last few months of her life must have been truly miserable, being hurt by those who were meant to care for and protect her."
Alan Richardson of the Crown Prosecution Service added: "Morsal Mohammed Naim not only shook her daughter to death, but then lied about what she had done. As her mother, Naim should have cared for two-year-old Omra Wali Jan, and kept her safe. Instead, she inflicted the catastrophic injuries that caused Omra's death."
Ongoing Impact and Reflection
The investigation spanned more than two years and involved numerous medical and forensic experts. Police noted that despite never having known Omra personally, they had seen numerous images showing her as a vibrant, happy child when in the care of others. The contrast between those images and her final months highlighted the tragedy of her short life.
Both parents failed to report any of the injuries to medical professionals or seek appropriate care for their daughter, instead choosing to lie about how and when the injuries occurred. Their attempts to mislead investigators throughout the process added to the horror of the case, according to police statements following the sentencing.
