KEY POINTS:
The death of a 22-month-old South Waikato girl from burns was an accident caused when her 8-year-old brother turned on the shower, a relative has claimed.
Malcolm Hopa, the grandfather of the man who was caring for Tyla-Maree Dayrll Flynn, yesterday told the Herald the little girl had been burned when her brother turned on the shower.
She died in Tokoroa Hospital on Friday morning from severe burns to the head, shoulders and back.
Police are treating her death as suspicious since there was a 17-hour delay between when she was injured and when she was taken to hospital.
Malcolm Hopa said his grandson, Whiti Te Rau "Ricky" Hopa, was looking after Tyla-Maree, her 8-year-old brother and 6-year-old sister on Thursday evening when she was burned. Ricky, 29, is the partner of Tyla-Maree's mother, Lisa Barron, and lives with her and her children on a poultry farm between Putaruru and Tokoroa.
Mr Hopa said Ricky was outside doing chores when he heard screaming from the house. He ran inside and immediately put cold water on Tyla-Maree when he found her scalded.
Mr Hopa said Ricky also applied ointment to Tyla-Maree's burns.
Tyla-Maree was taken to hospital by Ms Barron, 23, who was reportedly at work when the incident happened about 5pm.
Ricky Hopa was said to be devastated about his step-daughter's death.
Mr Hopa, 77, said Tyla-Maree had not been taken to hospital earlier because Ricky had not thought she was badly injured and he did not have a functioning car.
