Vomiting toddler had several falls, inquest told

22-month-old Hail-Sage McClutchie died from 'non-accidental' head injuries. Photo / Christine Cornege.

Little Hail-Sage McClutchie spent her last days in a lethargic state, constantly vomiting and showing her mother that she wasn't well by rubbing her head.

But despite a number of falls, dried blood found in one of her ears, a persistent cough which her mother thought was "just the flu" and the vomiting continuing, neither her mother nor her stepfather Adrian Wilson-Minimita thought her situation was serious enough to take her to a doctor.

Both even found time to play the pokies or enjoy a few drinks with their mates.

A coronial inquest into the toddler's death began at the Hamilton District Court yesterday with the toddler's family members packing the public gallery.

Hail-Sage's mother Kelly Percy picked her up from her caregiver and grandmother Delia Percy in Hamilton about 10 days before her death.

The 22-month-old began vomiting about five days later after several falls, unusual for a normally agile girl.

She had a seizure and was admitted to Waikato Hospital but died at 3.25am on September 27, 2010.

Hospital staff reported non-accidental head injuries to police, who began a homicide investigation about three weeks later.

But despite intensive inquiries that saw overseas forensic pathologists called on for their expertise, no one has been charged over the toddler's death.

Her mother, one of four witnesses to give evidence yesterday, told the inquest how Hail-Sage had had at least four falls during the time she was in her care.

Two happened at a park on September 18 or 19 when the toddler - under Mr Wilson-Minimita's supervision - apparently fell off a swing on to her knees and then "donged" her head. Hail-Sage also slipped off a slide.

The inquest also heard how she hit her head on the base of a bed at the Morrinsville house and fell off playground equipment at a relative's house.

Hail-Sage began vomiting on the Tuesday and Ms Percy said dried blood was found in her left ear but she didn't take her daughter to a doctor because of an argument she had with Mr Wilson-Minimita, who went off to play the pokies.

The vomiting continued for two days before the couple took Hail-Sage to a health clinic at a local marae, three days before she died. They left after an hour without seeing anyone.

They then went to a Morrinsville medical centre where they made an appointment.

But after lunch, which Hail-Sage ate, they decided against taking her to a doctor, thinking she "was better" and it was the flu or a stomach bug.

Ms Percy "got on the piss" at a friend's house that night. The following day the vomiting continued and her daughter began saying "head" as she rubbed it, looking at her mother.

Pathologist Dr Steven Stables said Hail-Sage had suffered a subdural haematoma or a traumatic injury to her brain which he said had probably occurred about a week before her death. The inquest concludes today.