Woman admits killing 10-month-old

Jyniah was taken from this house to Middlemore Hospital, where she died in September. Photo / Richard Robinson

A woman today entered a surprise guilty plea to murdering a 10-month old baby girl.

Tiana Mary-Anne Odessa Kapea appeared in the High Court for a trial callover date but changed her plea to guilty to murdering Jyniah Mary Te Awa last year.

She also admitted a charge of cruelty against the child and was remanded in custody for sentencing next month.

Kapea was caring for Jyniah when she was taken from a Manurewa house to Middlemore Hospital in September last year, suffering from a brain injury.

She was transferred to Starship Hospital but died the next day.

- NZPA