Mom Charged For Allegedly Killing 2-Month-Old Son, Wounding 2-Year-Old Daughter

A 29-year-old mother in the U.K. is facing multiple charges for allegedly fatally stabbing her 8-week-old son and injuring her 2-year-old daughter in Northern Ireland earlier this week.

Raluca Ioana Tagani, who was born in Romania, was charged with murder and attempted murder when she made a virtual appearance before Belfast Magistrates’ Court Friday, BelfastLive reported.

She allegedly stabbed her baby son, identified as Liam O’Keefe, Tuesday at Brompton Park in the Ardoyne area of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

The young girl, who suffered injuries from the incident that happened at around 8 p.m., remains in the hospital in stable condition, according to the report.

Police and paramedics discovered the children suffering from stab wounds after receiving a report from a relative who was concerned for their welfare. Tagani was also taken to a hospital for treatment for injuries and was later arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.

During her brief hearing Friday, Tagani, of no fixed abode, showed no emotion while being questioned in court as members of the O’Keefe family watched. She only nodded and replied “yes” with the help of an interpreter when asked if she understood the charges she was facing.

Tagani's lawyer, Sean Mullan, told the court that his client would not be seeking bail. The 29-year-old is set to make another court appearance on Aug. 27.

Police have not announced a motive for the alleged attack.

The half-sister of the deceased baby boy told The Sun from her England home that the whole family is devastated after she said her brother was stabbed “repeatedly,” especially their father, Liam O’Keefe Sr.

“They were meant to be having the baby’s christening soon — and now it’s going to be a funeral,” the half-sister told the outlet. “He was only eight weeks old so I didn’t get to meet him.”

Recounting the Tuesday incident, she said that her dad was at her sister’s kitchen at the time while her sister was in the bath. Her sister had heard their father scream and immediately called emergency services in Northern Ireland.

She said she held her dad as he cried. “The police and ambulance came to check how he was. My dad’s a big man and he never displays his feelings. To see him like that was just horrific,” she said.

A vigil was held in baby Liam's memory Thursday where his father gave an emotional speech.

“To all the neighbors and the full community for all their help and support, I really appreciate it all,” O’Keefe stated. “Holding this vigil means the world to me. I am truly heartbroken but it gives me the strength to know you are all giving so much love and support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”