Lisa Kuka. Photo / Stephen Parker
The mother of tortured Rotorua 3-year-old Nia Glassie has
been denied parole.
Lisa Michelle Kuka, 38, started her a nine-year sentence for
the manslaughter of her daughter on February 4, 2009.
Kuka's then partner, 19-year-old Wiremu Curtis, and his
brother Michael, 22, were sentenced to life imprisonment for
the little girl's murder.
The Parole Board today said Kuka remained an undue risk to
the safety of the community.
Nia Glassie died on August 3, 2007, from head injuries after
being repeatedly kicked.
She had been subjected to ongoing abuse, usually when her
mother was out at work, including being put in a clothes
dryer, hung on a clothesline and spun around, used in
wrestling moves, having objects thrown at her, and being
subjected to cold baths.
Kuka did not take baby Nia to hospital, and was found guilty
of manslaughter on the basis she failed in her duties as a
parent protect her and provide care.
She appeared before the Parole Board on Thursday.
In its decision, released today, the board said it had taken
Kuka a long time to come to terms with her responsibility for
the death of her daughter.
The board said Kuka had received psychological counselling
and had "started to come to terms with her role in this
persistent and violent abuse, and ultimate death Nia
Glassie".
