Exclusive: Man faces manslaughter charge over toddler's shooting death

A man before the courts in relation to the shooting death of a 2-year-old girl at her Mangere home last month will be charged with manslaughter.

The 26-year-old was initially charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after the toddler was killed on June 2 at her Favona Rd home.

He will face further charges of manslaughter and possession of cannabis for supply at his next court appearance on Monday. The man was granted interim suppression when he first appeared in the Manukau District Court following the fatal shooting.

The accused's and child's names cannot be published for legal reasons.

Police last night confirmed they have completed their investigation into the death, but would not make any further comment while the matter is before the courts.

The little girl was allegedly shot dead with a sawn-off shotgun, police said the day after she died. No one at the house where she was living held a firearms licence.

The accused was granted bail at his second court appearance. It was understood he was advised of the new charges this week.

The maximum sentence for manslaughter is life imprisonment. The longest sentence handed down for manslaughter involving a child was last month when Justice Sarah Katz jailed Tania Shailer and David Haerewa for 17 years over the brutal and violent killing of 3-year-old Moko Rangitoheriri.