20 Dec 2016

Babysitter charged with Southland toddler's death

3:59 pm on 20 December 2016

A Filipino babysitter who left New Zealand four years ago has been charged with murder over the death of a Southland toddler.

Bea Daleon, who was two years old and lived at Springhills, north of Invercargill, died after five days in hospital with a head injury in April 2012.

Police said they have laid a charge of murder in the High Court in Invercargill against a 33-year-old Filipino woman.

An arrest warrant has also been sought for the woman, who left New Zealand in mid-2012 and was believed to have returned to the Philippines.

The detective in charge of the case, Senior Sergeant Stuart Harvey, said police would be liaising with the Philippines authorities regarding potential next steps.

New Zealand does not have an extradition treaty with the Philippines but could officially request the woman be sent back to face charges.