Bail Conditions Refused for Mother of Murdered Toddler

Victoria Johnston A judge has refused to amend bail conditions for the mother of murdered toddler Tavia Michella Ximenes Da Costa, citing that the condition of weekly signing with police in Armagh is proportionate.

The mother, Suzi Augusta Jacinta Da Costa (21), is charged with manslaughter and jointly accused of causing the death of the child and knowing she died by an unlawful act, along with her sister Suzana Da Costa Ximenes (24) and her partner's Januaria Sarmento Ximenes (29). The child's grandmother found her in bed and believed she had been dead for some time, with a post-mortem examination finding that Tavia died from a brain injury caused by blunt force trauma.

She was covered in bruises, including to her head and face, had grip marks on her arms, and a burn on her ear. The court heard that an application had been made to remove the signing condition, but this was granted in the absence of police and subsequently revoked when they became aware of the circumstances. Da Costa is currently living in the Ballyclare area and has obtained work in a Newtownabbey factory.

Key Takeaways:

• Suzi Augusta Jacinta Da Costa remains charged with manslaughter and jointly accused of causing the death of her child, along with her sister and her partner.
• The post-mortem examination revealed that Tavia died from a brain injury caused by blunt force trauma, with extensive bruising and burn marks on her body.
• The court refused to amend bail conditions, citing that the weekly signing with police in Armagh is proportionate.
• Da Costa has obtained work in a Newtownabbey factory, but her shifts from 2pm to 8pm make it impossible to report to Armagh within the stipulated times.
• The application to remove the signing condition was granted temporarily, but subsequently revoked when the police became aware of the circumstances.
• Da Costa has a child and maintains contact, which ties her to the jurisdiction.

Statistics:

• Tavia was two weeks off her second birthday when she was found dead in bed on 13 October last year.
• Approximately 30 minutes after leaving a nightclub, a witness heard two women "screaming hysterically" in Tavia's home.
• Ximenes was described as "angry and aggressive" when leaving the nightclub at 2am.
• 9 October was the date when Tavia's breathing had been terrible, according to Da Costa's later statement.
• Da Costa is currently living in the Ballyclare area and has obtained work in a Newtownabbey factory, with shifts from 2pm to 8pm.

Sources:

• Victoria Johnston, unnamed, "Judge refuses to amend bail conditions for mother of murdered toddler", 2024.