A teen mother was sentenced to nine years in prison for leaving her daughter at home to starve to death while she travelled to celebrate her 18th birthday.
Verphy Kudi left Asiah, a 20-month-old baby, in her Brighton flat for nearly six days while she partied in London and Coventry.
On December 5, she moved out of her flat and travelled to London to celebrate her birthday with her boyfriend.
While her daughter was alone at home, she went to a 1990s music concert in Elephant and Castle, south London, and had a DJ announce her birthday to partygoers. At the concert, she stayed out until 4 a.m.
She went to another party in Coventry on December 9, then returned to London before returning home on December 11.
Kudi pictured at a concert in Elephant and Castle.
Unfortunately, Asiah died from influenza and starvation after being left unattended at the flat, prosecutors said.
Kudi, now 19, returned to her flat on December 11, 2019, and found her daughter lying on the floor. She was “incoherent, distressed, and distraught” as she called paramedics.
Verphy Kudi returning to her home in Brighton on December 11
Medics arrived at 6.12pm on December 11, 2019, before Asiah was rushed to Brighton’s Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital but could not be saved and was confirmed dead on arrival.
Verphy Kudi pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court today, August 6.
Sentencing Kudi, Judge Christine Laing QC said: “Asiah was alone in that flat for six days unable to do anything to draw attention to her plight.
“She was a helpless child and relied completely on you as her mother to provide for her needs.
“It is almost unbearable to contemplate her suffering in the final days of her life, suffering that she endured so that you could celebrate your birthday and the birthdays of your friends as a carefree teen age r.
Judge Laing added: “It goes without saying that this is a particularly tragic case and it no doubt raises strong emotions in all who hear of it, but everyone should bear in mind that the charge I sentence you for is one of manslaughter, it being accepted that you did not intend to cause Asiah death nor to cause her really serious harm.”
“We are saddened by the current situation, and as a family, we have many unanswered questions,” Asiah and Verphy’s family said in a statement released by Sussex Police.
“Verphy has been through a lot at such a young age , and we’ve always done everything we can to help her.”
“As a family, we are dealing with an unfathomable tr age dy. Not only are we coming to terms with today’s events, but we are also still mourning the loss of our beloved Asiah.
“At this time, we would appreciate it if our privacy could be respected.”
