A 23-year-old mother who had warned her former partner about her mental health struggles and potential for violence before the death of her 4-week-old son has been granted permanent name suppression.
Today, Justice Geoffrey Venning sentenced her to three years and six months’ imprisonment, denying her request for home detention. The court acknowledged her tragic personal circumstances, including a turbulent upbringing in foster care and abandonment by the fathers of her children.
Her infant son died from severe brain injuries after she shook him, and she subsequently pleaded guilty to manslaughter just days before her murder trial was set to begin. The mother had previously sent multiple messages to her ex-partner, expressing her desperation and anger, and warning of the potential danger to her children if she did not receive help.
The psychological report presented during the hearing diagnosed her with ‘reactive attachment disorder’ due to severe neglect in her own childhood, which made parenting more challenging.
The judge ruled out a non-custodial sentence due to the severity of the crime. In addition to the manslaughter sentence, she received concurrent nine-month sentences for non-fatal assaults on both of her sons.
Permanent name suppression was granted to protect the identity of her surviving son, now 5, who is under the care of extended family with supervision from Oranga Tamariki.
Three years is not enough. Our country is a joke.
Why have children if its this much of a struggle?
This is so sad. She said that she wasn’t coping and no one came to help. Right on the heels of the enquiry into the abuse in care. A self perpetuating system claims it’s newest victim while it’s referees make statements to the press.