Murder charge over baby’s death
Name suppression has been granted to a 42-year-old Motueka woman charged with the murder of a 5-month-old baby
The woman, who was meant to be assisted by an interpreter for the video-link court appearance in Christchurch District Court yesterday, was remanded for another court appearance on March 14.
No bail application was made and she will be held in a secure facility at Hillmorton Hospital for a psychiatric screening and assessment.
The results of that assessment will be reported back to the District Court at her next appearance, before the case may be referred to the High Court.
Judge Paul Kellar granted suppression of the woman’s name, the victim’s name, and any relationship between the two.
The woman is alleged to have killed the child at a home in Motueka on February 10.
Police said at the time they found the baby dead and a woman with serious but not lifethreatening injuries.
The woman was taken to Motueka Hospital and from there to hospital in Christchurch.
She had remained in hospital until yesterday’s court appearance.
The interpreter was not involved in the hearing, because an interpreter for the wrong language had been arranged, but one will be organised for the woman’s next appearance.