Baby abused for two weeks before death, court told

A baby suffered at least two weeks of abuse before being killed by a massive head injury, a court has been told.

Jaymie Natasha Ellen Haddock, 18, entered no plea at a depositions hearing in Tokoroa District Court yesterday to wilfully neglecting her three and half month old daughter Sarah Rebekah Haddock-Woodcock in a manner to cause injury to health.

Pathologist James Ferris' report said Sarah died from a head injury inflicted within the last 12 hours of her life.

She also had a fractured skull, bruising to her mouth, jaw, neck and chest.

Bruising on her body indicated strangulation, which may have caused a loss of consciousness but was not the cause of her death.

Multiple fractures to her lower ribs were consistent with "severe squeezing".

Mr Ferris said the pattern of her injuries was not accidental and Sarah had been subjected to repeated injury at least two weeks prior to death.

Detective Suzanne Douglas of Taupo police said she first visited the accused at her Galway Place, Putaruru home on April 5.

"I asked Jaymie Haddock in general terms about what she knew of her baby's death. The defendant maintained that she did not know what had happened."

Ms Douglas returned to the home on April 15 with a search warrant.

She noted a strong smell of cannabis in the home and that the defendant's eyes were very bloodshot.

During an interview with the detective, Haddock agreed she was a suspect.

"It has to be the two adults in the house, either Josh (the father) or me and it isn't me," she said.

"I have asked Josh and he said no, but he wouldn't tell me if he did that anyway. He knows I wouldn't stay if he did it."

She said she had not seen him "be mean" to baby Sarah.

Haddock sat alone in the public gallery of the court yesterday as Haddock's lawyer Tom Sutcliffe concede there was a case to answer.

Haddock was remanded on bail to appear in Rotorua District Court for callover on August 17.

- NZPA