Lillybing's aunt pleads guilty to manslaughter

12.30 pm

Wairarapa sisters Rachaelle Namana and Rongomai Paewai have pleaded guilty to charges relating to the death of their 23-month-old niece known as Lillybing.

Hinewaoriki Karaitiana-Matiaha, or Lillybing, was delivered dead to Masterton Hospital on July 23 last year. The Carterton toddler had been dead for about five hours.

Death was due to a major brain injury caused by shaking. She had a badly burned face, a blood clot and life-threatening genital injuries.

Today in the Wellington High Court, 28-year-old Namana, a mother of five and former Kohanga Reo teacher, pleaded guilty to one charge of manslaughter, two of ill-treatment of a child, and two of failing to provide the necessaries of life.

Her sister, Paewai, a 27-year-old beneficiary and former kohanga reo teacher, pleaded guilty to two charges of wilful ill treatment of a child, and two of failing to provide the necessaries of life.

A charge against Namana's partner, David Hemopo, was dismissed.

The trial of all three was to have started on Monday.

Justice Durie remanded Namana in custody until June 15 for sentencing. Paewai was remanded on bail until the same date.

During the depositions hearing in December last year, Lillybing's mother, Terina Matiaha, told the court that Namana had been like a second mother to the child and had breastfed her.

Lillybing had stayed at Namana's Carterton home in the days before her death.

A forensic pathologist discovered more than 90 bruises and abrasions on the body of the dead toddler.