Video shows Verphy Kudi partying as daughter died home alone

Verphy Kudi, who grew up in Southwark, walked out on her 20-month-old daughter on the day she turned 18, partying for six days while the baby was at their Brighton flat.

Her daughter was dead when she returned to the flat, where she had been housed by social services.

Asiah had contracted influenza and a post mortem examination concluded she died from neglect.

Kudi, 19, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in March and was sentenced to nine years imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, August 6.

A video released by police shows Kudi leaving her Islingword Road flat, on December 5, 2019, before videos of her partying at a 90s music event in Elephant and Castle.

At the event, a DJ even announced her birthday during her days-long jaunt away from home, a court heard.

She did not return until December 11 when she called 999 to say her baby would not wake up.

Asiah, who was born on March 22, 2018, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

Verphy Kudi and her daughter Asiah

When first interviewed by police, Kudi maintained that she had been with her child at the flat all the time, except for one visit she made to London.

But the court heard how the police investigation found from CCTV, phone and other evidence from people who knew her, that Kudi left the flat on her 18th birthday and didn’t return until December 11, leaving her child alone and uncared for throughout that time.

Verphy had gone first to London, and then with friends to another's birthday party in Coventry, before returning to Brighton via London.

The prosecution, authorised by the CPS, followed an investigation by detectives from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team.

The senior investigating officer detective chief inspector Andy Wolstenholme said; "This was a particularly distressing case for my team and me to investigate, and has caused great sorrow amongst Verphy's family and the many agencies that have supported Verphy and Asiah.

"In pleading guilty, Ms Kudi accepted the terrible judgements she made in leaving her child alone and unprotected for such a protracted period, and accepts the lies she told to friends, family and professionals to cover up her neglect of her daughter and in order to avoid being caught.

"I hope Verphy's acceptance will help the rest of her family to grieve the terrible loss of Asiah.”

In a statement, Asiah and Kudi’s family have said; " We are saddened by the current situation and as a family we have many unanswered questions. Verphy has experienced so much at such a young age, and we have always done what we can to support her.

"As a family we are in the midst of an unbearable tragedy. Not only are we coming to terms with what has happened today, but we are also still grieving for our beloved Asiah. We would be grateful if our privacy can be respected at this moment.”

The Brighton and Hove Safeguarding Children Partnership (BHSCP) is carrying out a Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) of this case, which they aim to publish later this year. Sussex Police like all agencies concerned, are fully participating in that Review.