http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/2817783/Northland-mother-charged-with-daughters-murder

Northland mother charged with daughter’s murder

By CLIO FRANCIS – Stuff.co.nz

A Northland mother has been charged with the murder of her two-year-old daughter.

The 32-year-old woman – who has name suppression – appeared before Judge Gittos at the Auckland District Court this morning.

The murder charge was laid by police at Kaitaia District Court.

The Kaitaia toddler was rushed to Starship Hospital earlier this month after she was found with serious injuries by family members.

She died the next day in hospital.

The woman stood crying throughout her brief appearance and was supported by a number of family members.

Her lawyer, Belinda Sellars, said her client had been co-operating with the police investigation.

After her last court appearance a family spokesman Maurice Waetford said the woman had “difficulty in her life… One good thing that I see that’s going to come out of this is that she’s going to get the specialist care that she needs.”

The woman had suffered from post-natal depression in the past, Mr Waetford said. She had two other children. They were taken into CYF care following the toddler’s death.

She was remanded in custody to appear at Kaitaia District Court on September 9.