THE grandmother of a baby girl who died home alone has said that their family still have many unanswered questions.
Asiah Kudi was just 20 months old when she was found dead in her cot at a Brighton flat back in December 2019.
The tot was suffering with the flu before succumbing to dehydration and starvation.
A court later found mum Verphy Kudi had left her daughter alone for nearly six days while she went and partied for her 18th birthday.
And in August 2021 after allowing Asiah to deal with "almost unimaginable suffering", Kudi was jailed for nine years following a guilty plea of manslaughter.
Grandma Asia Batrane has since broken down recalling the tragedy.
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After the inquest Asia said the family was "disappointed" with the hearing and said they had been left with many "unanswered questions" over the death of Asiah, who was also known as Naveah.
The devastated grandmother said: "In light of the inquest hearing that took place in the last couple of weeks, we, as a family, have had so many unanswered questions in the circumstances leading up to her passing.
"In our view, attempts made to answer our questions proved to be futile.
"We are disappointed that we did not hear evidence from the staff who were supposed to do increased CCTV checks after safeguarding concerns were raised about Naveah’s care in October 2019. We believe that there should have been more support for Naveah."
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She added: "Naveah was the light of our lives. She was adored by all of us, her grandfather and her aunties, who loved her more than anything."
On December 5, 2019, Asiah was left in her cot with no food or water.
Kudi travelled to London, Coventry and Solihull – more than 150 miles away – to celebrate her 18th birthday with pals.
On the day her daughter died Kudi was on social media trying to sell concert tickets and attempting to launch her own modelling career.
The trial heard she returned to her flat when Asiah had been home alone five days 21 hours and 58 minutes – but did not call emergency services for more than two hours.
In that time she was seen emptying bags into a communal bin area before going back to her flat.
She eventually dialled 999 at 6.06pm and told the call handler after her daughter was “not waking up”.
She told paramedics Asiah had been sleeping all day after giving her milk and Calpol.
Asiah – who paramedics noticed had signs of rigor mortis – was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Grandmother Asia had previously said that the tot, who had "beautiful dark brown eyes" and was "such a blessing".
She said: "When she was born everyone fell in love with her instantly. She had the most beautiful dark brown eyes.
"Even if she was doing something naughty, when I looked into her eyes I just gave in. It was impossible to be angry with her.
"I was there for many of Naveah’s ‘firsts’. I was there when she took her first steps. When she learned how to clap, I cried.
"She was such a blessing to our whole family. She reminded us what it is to love so unconditionally.
"It was the biggest celebration we had for her. Nobody knew that she was not going to be here for long.
"Naveah’s family, myself, her grandfather and her aunties loved her with everything we had.
"We are struggling with her loss. We miss her every day."
Speaking after the coroner’s inquest, Councillor Emma Daniel, Children’s Safeguarding Lead at Brighton & Hove City Council. said: "It was really important that we explored all the circumstances surrounding this.
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"The coroner found that there was nothing professionals could have done that could have foreseen this tragic death. They were also satisfied that changes have been made in response to any learning.
“Since the publication and findings of the independent Child Safeguarding Practice Review carried out by the Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Children’s Partnership we have worked to carry out and put in progress all recommendations."
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