Nanny 'under stress'

Photo / Thinkstock

The nanny who deserted a 4-month-old baby in her care for more than two hours had been under stress, her husband said last night.

Rachel Simons, 31, has been charged with leaving an infant unattended after the child's father unexpectedly turned up at her home to drop off nappies.

Andrew Gous arrived at Simons' home in Te Atatu, West Auckland, on Wednesday at 9.45am and found his son alone in the rumpus room after forcing his way into the house.

Simons returned just after midday, and her employers Porse and police were notified.

The infant's mother, Cristel Gous-Veefkind, said the incident had been "nerve-racking" but she had forgiven Simons.

Talking about the incident on Facebook, Gous-Veefkind told friends they bore no anger towards the caregiver.

She said: "Luckily [our baby] was his usual happy self but it was really nerve racking for our anniversary. We did go out to dinner so it was a happy end.

"I think she really loves kids so what happened? I don't know.

"I think she panicked and made a stupid decision. She had organised for a friend to come over but that didn't happen."

Simon's husband Richard Schraven said Simons, who has two young children, was devastated by the incident. She had never left a baby alone before.

He had been in Taupo for work and she was having to look after the family on her own.

"It was her fault and she feels terrible about it," he said.

"When she came home she was so upset about what had happened she was shaking.

"I know people are criticising her and saying that she neglected the baby but she would never do that.

"This whole thing was a silly mistake."

Simons, who was fired from in-house caregiver Porse, will appear in court on Tuesday.

She was waitressing at a wedding yesterday and was not available for comment.