- New Zealand toddler put in dryer before death
- By From Correspondents In Auckland
- The Herald Sun
- 22/10/2008 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: The Rooster ( 264 articles in 2008 )
A NEW Zealand toddler was put in a tumble dryer, spun on a clothesline and kicked in the head as part of ongoing abuse before she died, a court has heard.
The Rotorua High Court today began hearing arguments at the trial of five people facing charges over three-year-old Nia Glassie's death.
Those charged include Nia's mother Lisa Kuka, 35, her former partner Wiremu Curtis, 19, and 22-year-old brother Michael, Michael's partner Oriwa Kemp, 18, and Lisa's nephew Michael Pearson, aged 20.
The incident prompted outrage in New Zealand when the little girl died on August 3 last year after being admitted to hospital.
It later emerged that her central North Island family, who were celebrating a 21st birthday, allegedly waited 36 hours after the toddler lapsed into a coma before taking her to hospital.
Crown prosecutor Fletcher Pilditch today alleged that Nia was twice spun on a clothesline during a long period of abuse that lasted weeks, possibly months.
He alleged Nia was forced into a tumble dryer before the door was shut and the appliance turned on, while people stood around laughing.
The prosecutor alleged that on July 20 last year the Curtis' brothers kicked Nia in the head, ultimately ending her life.
Wiremu Curtis, facing eight charges including murder, and Ms Kemp, who has five charges including manslaughter, have pleaded guilty to assaulting and wilfully ill-treating Nia and two other children, but not guilty to the more serious charges.
Mr Pearson has also denied a charge of manslaughter.
William Curtis, the father of the Curtis brothers, also faces charges for the alleged abuse of Nia but over an earlier alleged incident, and no trial date has been set for him.
The Rotorua High Court today began hearing arguments at the trial of five people facing charges over three-year-old Nia Glassie's death.
Those charged include Nia's mother Lisa Kuka, 35, her former partner Wiremu Curtis, 19, and 22-year-old brother Michael, Michael's partner Oriwa Kemp, 18, and Lisa's nephew Michael Pearson, aged 20.
The incident prompted outrage in New Zealand when the little girl died on August 3 last year after being admitted to hospital.
It later emerged that her central North Island family, who were celebrating a 21st birthday, allegedly waited 36 hours after the toddler lapsed into a coma before taking her to hospital.
Crown prosecutor Fletcher Pilditch today alleged that Nia was twice spun on a clothesline during a long period of abuse that lasted weeks, possibly months.
He alleged Nia was forced into a tumble dryer before the door was shut and the appliance turned on, while people stood around laughing.
The prosecutor alleged that on July 20 last year the Curtis' brothers kicked Nia in the head, ultimately ending her life.
Wiremu Curtis, facing eight charges including murder, and Ms Kemp, who has five charges including manslaughter, have pleaded guilty to assaulting and wilfully ill-treating Nia and two other children, but not guilty to the more serious charges.
Mr Pearson has also denied a charge of manslaughter.
William Curtis, the father of the Curtis brothers, also faces charges for the alleged abuse of Nia but over an earlier alleged incident, and no trial date has been set for him.
Source: https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24530006-5005961,00.html
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