1 Apr 2009

Woman accused of leaving baby on plane named

8:19 pm on 1 April 2009

A woman accused of assaulting and abandoning her newborn infant on a flight from Samoa to New Zealand can now be named.

She is Karolaine Maika, aged 29.

The baby girl was found in an aircraft's toilet cubicle after Ms Maika gave birth on a flight from Apia to Auckland in March.

Air crew and the 150 other passengers were not aware of her situation.

Ms Maika appeared in court last week on the charges and was granted name suppression, which lapsed on Wednesday.

She was remanded in custody to reappear in April.

The baby, named Grace, is temporarily in the care of Child, Youth and Family and is being looked after by family members in Auckland.