Aunts face charges over death of Carterton toddler

Three people appeared in the Masterton District Court yesterday charged in connection with the fatal abuse of Carterton toddler Hinewaoriki Karaitiana-Matiaha.

Rachel Namana, a 28-year-old mother of five, her partner, unemployed 31-year-old David Hemopo and Rongomai Paewai, a 27-year-old beneficiary, were led into court each handcuffed to a police officer.

All three live in Carterton and the women are aunts of 23-month-old Hinewaoriki.

The toddler - nicknamed Lillybing by her family - was delivered dead to Masterton Hospital around midnight on July 23.

Sisters Namana and Paewai each face six charges relating to the period between July 21 and July 24.

The charges are: manslaughter by failing to provide medical attention for a life-threatening brain injury; failing to provide the necessaries of life, namely medical attention for genital injuries whereby the child's life was endangered; failing to provide the necessaries of life, namely medical attention, for a haematoma to her forehead and a full-thickness of skin burn to her face and head, whereby her life was endangered; three charges of wilful ill-treatment likely to cause suffering, including scalding.

The sisters have been jointly charged with the manslaughter and the charge relating to the genital injuries.

Hemopo faces only one charge. With Namana and Paewai, he is jointly charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life - medical attention for the toddler's haematoma and burns on or about July 23.

The three were remanded in custody until October 9.

Applications for bail for the three defendants and name suppression for the sisters were rejected by Justice of the Peace Ken Wilton.

He said: "The matter before the court today is, in the nature of the charges, serious."

A document read to the court by Sergeant Garry Wilson, outlining details of the police case and the reasons police opposed bail, was suppressed by Mr Wilton.

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