Caregiver on trial for toddler's murder

Dylan Hohepa Tonga Rimoni. Photo / One News

An Auckland woman went on trial today for the murder of a three-year-old child while he was in her care in 2008.

Patricia Angela Pickering, 38, pleaded not guilty to murdering Dylan Hohepa Tonga Rimoni, two charges of causing him grievous bodily harm, and one of assault.

Pickering, who was Dylan's caregiver, was alleged to have murdered the boy, who died in Auckland's Starship Hospital in April 2008.

The assault and grievous bodily harm charges arose from alleged incidents between December 1, 2007, and April 1, 2008.

Pickering's trial began in the High Court at Auckland this morning before a jury of seven men and five women. It has been set down for four weeks.

The Crown was expected to call 69 witnesses.

- NZPA