By ALISON HORWOOD
Wairarapa toddler Hinewaoriki Karaitiana-Matiaha was dead but not yet at hospital when one of the aunts charged in relation to her death made plans to go drinking.
The tot's mother, Terina Matiaha, told the Masterton District Court yesterday that her stepsister, Rachaelle Namana, went to her house about 10 pm on July 23. Namana told her she would return in half an hour to take her to a party.
"She was going to get on the piss," said Ms Matiaha.
The 23-month-old toddler, known as Lillybing, had died several hours earlier, but when Ms Matiaha asked how the child was, Namana replied: "She's doing good."
The court has heard how Lillybing was taken to Masterton Hospital around 11.30 that night showing symptoms of rigor mortis. She had been dead for up to 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 caused by a penis or object.
Namana, aged 28, and her sister, Rongomai Paewai, 27, each face one charge of manslaughter, three of wilful ill-treatment and two of failing to provide the necessities of life, namely medical attention. David Hemopo has been charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life.
The depositions hearing will determine if they go to trial.
Crown prosecutor Grant Burston said in his opening address that what happened on the afternoon of July 23 was unclear.
"Neither Namana nor Paewai have offered an explanation how Lillybing suffered that [head] injury. Whoever caused it, both women failed to provide the necessaries of life in the form of medical attention."
During her evidence yesterday, Lillybing's mother said 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 because she (Ms Matiaha) was in hospital with a sickly baby.
The tot was dropped off on July 20, in good health, and Ms Matiaha never saw her daughter alive again.
Witness Joanne Brown said Lillybing arrived at Nga Waka Te Kohanga Reo the following day with "shit running down her legs," bare feet "pinky-purple" with cold and a snotty face.
Lillybing and her older brother were the only children who came without fresh nappies or lunch.
Ms Brown, who had the flu, said she retched when she tried to change Lillybing's nappies, so a 13-year-old took over.
That girl gave evidence yesterday about using a flannel to clean faeces smeared between Lillybing's torso and knees. Other children teased Lillybing because she smelled. The witness said she did not notice any genital injury.
That evening - July 21 - the witness, Namana and Lillybing returned to the kohanga because Namana was getting it ready for its official opening.
About 8 pm, Namana took Lillybing to the toilets and tried to toilet-train her. When Lillybing - who was not highly developed - could not get on to the steps leading up to the toilet, Namana smacked her legs about five times.
Lillybing started to cry, but Namana told her to be quiet, said the witness.
Mr Burston: Did that stop Lillybing crying?
Witness: Yeah, she just hold it in.
Namana then picked up Lillybing and put her bare bottom on the adult-sized toilet. When the witness went looking for the child about 11 pm, she found her still sitting there.
Mr Burston: How did she look?
Witness: Sad.
Later, Namana took the steps into her office and tried to make Lillybing practise.
The hearing continues.
Accused wanted to party, Lillybing's mother tells court
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