A man has been found guilty of murder after inflicting fatal injuries on a defenceless 22-month-old girl in Wythenshawe.
Michael Wild, 30, forcibly hit little Ella-Rose Clover in the abdomen while alone with her.
The innocent tot died after suffering internal bleeding, which caused a cardiac arrest as a result of the blows.
It is believed Wild had been secretly hitting and bullying the baby for months, but this was missed by doctors who believed Ella-Rose had a medical problem.
Following an eight-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Wild remained emotionless as he was found guilty of Ella-Rose's murder.
There were cries of joy from the public gallery as the foreman announced the jury's decision.
Wild previously tried to convince the jury that he had never hit Ella-Rose, but they didn't believe him and on their fourth day of deliberations, unanimously convicted him.
He now faces a life sentence behind bars.
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His then-partner, Sharleen Hughes was found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child; and two charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Ella-Rose was left with Hughes, her godmother, on January 21 last year.
Her mum Pagan Clover, 26, entrusted her friend to look after Ella-Rose, as she had done on many occasions.
But Hughes was living with her then-partner Wild, who should never have been left alone with Ella, the court heard previously.
Pagan described him as 'not sociable' and said that there was 'no way' she would have left the tot if she knew Wild was looking after her.
Jobless Wild hit Ella-Rose in the abdomen while Hughes was out with her own child.
After arriving home to see the child lifeless on the sofa, Hughes dialled 999. Ella-Rose was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital, but was pronounced dead a short time later.
At the outset of the trial, the prosecution said Hughes should have been aware of the risk her partner posed of causing serious physical harm to Ella-Rose.
Knowing this, she failed to take reasonable steps to protect her, prosecutor Andrew Reid QC said.
She had also lied to police, telling them she was at home with Ella-Rose at the time of her death, and even got her 12-year-old son and his friend to back up her story.
Ella-Rose had been admitted to hospital five times between July and November 2017, with 'worrying symptoms of swelling and bruising around her face,' the court heard.
Doctors believed she had a rare medical diagnosis of occurring haemorrhagic urticaria and she was prescribed anti-histamines.
But by November 2, Ella-Rose was admitted to Manchester Royal Children's Hospital where she had to undergo surgery to remove a part of her bowel.
Following her death, a Home Office pathologist said the only explanation for her mysterious symptoms were caused by 'deliberate blows' to her abdomen.
It is believed Wild inflicted these injuries as well as the fatal blow that killed her.
Wlld lied to the jury, calling Ella-Rose a 'sweet girl' and said he had seen the girl 'punching her own stomach'.
When cross-examined by the QC, who asked whether he had a problem with her, he said no. He said he never reacted when she was naughty.
On the day of the murder, Wild denied having lost his temper and lashed out, as suggested by Mr Reid.
But in the days before Ella's death, he'd sent his partner a text saying: "I want Ella gone, I swear to god."
And: "I suggest you get her out of my house."
In a statement released through GMP at the time of Ella-Roses' death, Pagan described Ella as the 'most loveable little girl'.
She added that none of their lives 'would ever be the same again'.
Michael Wild, now of Morland Road, Gleadless, Sheffield; and Sharleen Hughes, now of Mardyke, College Bank, Rochdale will be sentenced at June 3 and June 5 respectively.
