A coroner has found a Southland toddler died from non-accidental blunt force trauma to her head while in the care of her babysitter.
However, it is unlikely a criminal case against the person accused of her murder will be heard.
Coroner Brigitte Windley today issued her finding on the death in 2012 of 2-year-old Bea Marguerita Daleon, known as Mague.
She said on the balance of probabilities it was likely the injury was inflicted while the child was in the care of her babysitter and it was not accidental.
It was an unusual case, Coroner Windley said.
While a person was charged with murder in relation to Mague's death, which happened while she was in the care of her babysitter at her home on the Springhills-Tussock Creek Rd, near Invercargill, that case has not concluded as the person charged left the country.
Ordinarily a coroner would not issue a finding until the criminal case was concluded.
``However, the circumstances in this case, with the accused now residing in a country that has no extradition treaty with New Zealand, mean that the criminal allegation against the accused may never be tested and trial may never eventuate. Equally the coronial case cannot be held in abeyance pending a criminal trial that may never eventuate.''
Coroner Windley said prior to her death Mague had no history of seizures and no known medical conditions.
She was treated for a broken arm in March 29, 2012.
On April 16 the child was with the babysitter at the child's home while her mother was at work on the dairy farm where they lived and her father was away.
About 3.15pm the the babysitter took Mague to the dairy shed where her mother was and an ambulance was called.
She was in a critical condition when she arrived at Southland Hospital and died four days later after her life support was turned off.
The coroner noted there was scope under the Coroner's Act for another coronial inquiry to be conducted should new facts be discovered.
* Karen Nenite De Luna, in her early 30s, was charged with Bea Daleon's death in December 2016. She had returned to the Philippines, where she is from, before she was charged, and has since severed contact with police. Police are working with Interpol and at diplomatic levels to try and track her down. Mrs De Luna often babysat Mague while her parents worked on nearby dairy farms. The Daleons now live in Australia.
