Babysitter charged with murder to stand trial next year

It is expected that Shayal Upashna Sami's jury trial will last two to three weeks. Photo / File

A teenage babysitter charged with murdering a 1-year-old Christchurch baby will stand trial next year.

Shayal Upashna Sami, 19, denies murdering baby Aaliyah Ashlyn Chand on January 6, 2015.

Sami was allegedly babysitting when the 1-year-old suffered unexplained serious head injuries.

Today, in the High Court at Christchurch, it was confirmed that her trial will start on February 7 next year.

It is expected that the jury trial will last two to three weeks.

Aaliyah was taken to Christchurch Hospital and died on January 7 last year, with her parents, Anjani and Dev, by her bedside.

Police had ruled out accidental or health reasons for the death.

Sami is remanded on bail.