Fake baby shower, pregnant suit, adoption claim then newborn kidnapped

Nadene Manukau-Togiavalu wore a fake pregnancy suit during her hoax baby shower before the kidnapping, the Herald has been told. Photo / Supplied

A hoax baby shower, fake pregnancy suit and an adoption claim preceded a newborn's kidnapping as a young woman's infatuation with being pregnant grew.

Nadene Faye Manukau-Togiavalu was working as a nanny for a family with a baby girl at their Epsom home in Auckland.

Her pregnancy delusion culminated with the kidnapping of the newborn.

Today, details of Manukau-Togiavalu's offending were heard in the High Court at Auckland as her co-offender and 18-year-old cousin Sydnee Shaunna Toulapapa pleaded guilty to kidnapping and burglary.

Manukau-Togiavalu, 21, pleaded guilty to her part in the August 9 baby snatch at the Auckland District Court yesterday.

Nadene Faye Manukau-Togiavalu and Sydnee Shaunna Toulapapa have both pleaded guilty to kidnapping the baby. Photos / Facebook

The High Court heard that Toulapapa had been coaxed into helping Manukau-Togiavalu, into taking the then 11-day-old baby from the Pah Rd home.

Toulapapa's counsel Annabel Cresswell said Manukau-Togiavalu has serious health issues and had fabricated a story where she'd convinced her family and friends that she'd been forced to give up her baby.

She then sought help from Toulapapa, who was holidaying from Australia at the time, to help get the child back.

Prior to the child being taken for some six hours, Manukau-Togiavalu staged a fake baby shower and wore a pregnancy suit, social media photos provided to the Herald show.

Nadene Manukau-Togiavalu wore a fake pregnancy suit during her hoax baby shower before the kidnapping, the Herald has been told. Photo / Supplied

About 80 police launched a major search after the baby girl was taken.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said at the time: "The baby's parents are obviously very distraught and have been through a terrible ordeal and they are currently with their baby.

"This has been an extremely harrowing time for the new parents of a very young baby. We are relieved and thankful that the baby was not harmed and has been reunited with her parents."

Toulapapa will be sentenced next month, while a date for Manukau-Togiavalu is yet to be set.

Nadene Manukau-Togiavalu is understood to be friendly with NRL star Konrad Hurrell. Photo / Facebook

Manukau-Togiavalu is the cousin of the late up-and-coming league star Luke Tipene who was killed by Vincent Skeen, and gave evidence at Skeen's murder trial.

She is also understood to be friendly with former Warriors and now Gold Coast Titans NRL star Konrad Hurrell.

Nadene Manukau-Togiavalu with her cousin, the late rising rugby league star Luke Tipene. Photo / Facebook