Jury convicts boyfriend of murdering 12-week-old baby who was found with a fractured skull

Published 29 October 2026, 17:54

• Tyla Wharmby, who was feeding baby Hunter Hodges overnight, first told police he woke to find the boy unwell.
• Investigators found Hunter had already been violently shaken before he suffered the fatal injury shortly before a 999 call.
• Detective Inspector Adam Marshall said his team 'exposed the truth behind Wharmby's lies' to secure justice for Hunter.

A jury has found Tyla Wharmby, 24, guilty of killing 12-week-old Hunter Hodges, an infant left in his overnight care, returning verdicts of murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Paramedics were called just after 5.30am on 15 July 2022 to a property in Queen Street, Ramsgate, where Hunter was found pale, unresponsive and with a visibly swollen head.

Hunter was rushed to a local hospital, where medical staff immediately alerted Kent Police.

Due to the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to a London facility, where doctors confirmed he had suffered a fractured skull causing large swelling to his brain.

Despite treatment, Hunter died in hospital that afternoon.

Wharmby was in a relationship with the baby's mother and had been responsible for feeding the infant overnight.

He initially told police he had woken to find Hunter unwell and had notified the baby's mother, who then made the 999 call.

He was arrested the same day Hunter died, following initial police enquiries.

Specialist Kent Police detectives then conducted an extensive investigation, examining highly complex medical, forensic and digital evidence.

The evidence showed that Wharmby had given a false account of what happened in the period before Hunter's death, and that he had intentionally caused the injury that killed the baby shortly before the emergency call was made.

Investigators also concluded that Wharmby had hurt Hunter on a prior, separate occasion, with the injuries from that incident pointing to the infant having been subjected to violent shaking.

Wharmby faced charges of murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent, brought on 22 February 2026.

He denied both charges, but a majority jury verdict delivered at Canterbury Crown Court on 29 October 2026 found him guilty of both crimes.

Sentencing has yet to take place.

Detective Inspector Adam Marshall, the senior investigating officer, said the case was "deeply distressing" and that the team's determination to secure justice was "unwavering."

"The investigation team worked meticulously to scrutinise the evidence and build a case which ultimately exposed the truth behind Wharmby's lies, and ensure he was brought before the courts to answer for his appalling actions," DI Marshall said.

He added that while "no outcome could lessen the devastating loss suffered by Hunter's family," he hoped the verdict provided "some measure of accountability."

He praised Hunter's loved ones for showing "remarkable courage and strength" throughout a "lengthy and incredibly difficult process."