Woman charged with murder of 5-year-old in Coventry

David-Mario Lazar died from a stab wound in Coventry in January last year.

Author: Molly HookingsPublished 6th Jan 2023

A woman has been charged with the murder of a five-year-old boy who died while in her care last January.

Elena Anghel appeared at Leamington Justice Centre on Thursday and remains in a secure mental health facility pending her trial, which is set for June this year, police said.

Anghel, 50, from Coventry, was detained under the Mental Health Act after David-Mario Lazar died from a stab wound at his home in Poplar Road, Earlsdon, on 25 January 2022.

West Midlands Police said David-Mario's family have been informed of the latest development and officers' thoughts remain with them.

In a statement issued two days after the fatal incident, David-Mario's parents, Cristina and Dorinel, said: "Our son, he was the most beautiful child in the world.

"He was a very happy boy. He is all of our hearts, all our love and is everything to both of us."