Suppression granted to teenager on murder charge
Name suppression was granted to an 18-year-old Fijian-Indian woman charged with the murder of one-year-old Aaliyah Ashlyn Chand at a hearing where she was released on bail today.
Christchurch District Court Judge Alistair Garland granted the suppression after an application by defence counsel Paul Johnson at the woman’s first appearance in court this afternoon.
The police did not oppose bail for the woman, who is alleged to have been babysitting the Fijian-Indian child at the time of her injuries.
The woman, five months pregnant, was remanded to the High Court on February 5. Mr Johnson said the remand would allow the defence to receive disclosure and obtain legal instructions.
Judge Garland released the woman on bail conditions that she live at a specified address, surrender her passport, and abide by a 24-hour-a-day curfew. He refused media requests for her to be photographed in court.
Aaliyah was taken to Christchurch Hospital by her babysitter with the help of a neighbour but died in the hospital’s intensive care unit later the same day, with her parents at her bedside.
Members of the Fijian-Indian community were present for the woman’s appearance, which follows a week of police inquiries into the baby’s death.
The suppression was granted because of the woman’s age, her pregnancy, and because her family in Fiji had not yet been told of the charge.
“Baby Aaliyah’s death is an utter tragedy for the family. Her death has also affected the wider community and the team investigating this incident,” Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Anderson of the Christchurch police said in a statement. “Police will continue to support Aaliyah’s family through the court process.”
Category: News
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