Alleged murderer of Belfast newborn baby revealed to be mother

Police at the scene of the stabbing in Ardoyne, Belfast.
Police at the scene of the stabbing in Ardoyne, Belfast. Photo credit: Twitter / Q Radio News screenshot

The 29-year-old charged with the murder of a newborn baby in Belfast has been revealed to be the child's mother.

Authorities were called to a property in Ardoyne, Belfast this week where two children were found with serious injuries. While a two-year-old girl was taken to hospital for care, two-month-old boy Liam O'Keefe died at the scene.

A woman who was also at the property was arrested on suspicion of murder and also taken to hospital. She's now been released and taken into policy custody, charged with the young boy's murder and the attempted murder of the other child, who is in a stable condition.

British media are now reporting that the Romanian woman, named as Raluca Tagani, was the baby's mother and that she has been remanded in custody until a hearing on August 27. 

The children's father rushed to be at their bedside and is understood to have moved out of the home recently. 

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Millar is reported as thanking the local community for its "unwavering support and patience while we continue our investigation into the tragic events of Tuesday evening".

A large number of flowers and soft toys have been left outside the property.

John Finucane, the MP for the Sinn Féin party, visited the scene of the alleged attack on Wednesday, describing it as a "very tragic situation".

"It is my understanding that first responders entered a house, they found two young children very seriously injured and despite their best efforts one child died at the scene," he said.

"Our hopes and prayers are that that child will pull through and make a full recovery."