South Canterbury couple sentenced to intensive supervision for child neglect

The parents of four children with rotten teeth, dirty skin and developmental delays from years of neglect have been sentenced to intensive supervision.

The South Canterbury couple were charged with four counts of mistreatment or neglect of a child under the age of 18 after their 5-year-old son was seen in the middle of a busy road, naked and unsupervised, around 2.30 p.m. on March 3. May 2019.

The 30-year-old father and 26-year-old mother, who were granted permanent name suppression, were sentenced to 18 months of intensive supervision with judicial control when they appeared before Judge Joanna Maze in Timaru District Court on Monday.

Judge Maze found the couple guilty of child neglect after a three-day trial with just one judge in July this year.

A South Canterbury District Board of Health pediatrician gave evidence that the youngest child’s diaper was stained with blood from a rash, probably caused by prolonged exposure to urine and feces, while all four children suffered developmental delays, their skin was encrusted with dirt and scarred by insects. Fresh insect bites and stings covered their bodies.

A dentist told the court that one child suffered from swollen gums that could turn into an abscess and damage the bone tissue in the mouth, while three of the four children had rotten teeth.

Oranga Tamariki issued a security order at the scene, lifting the children at Timaru Hospital and taking them to approved caregivers.

Judge Maze said the couple “struggled to accept the verdicts” but had shown “very real and positive signs of progress.”

“They didn’t accept the result originally, which meant they weren’t ready to participate in anything that would help them. They have both left and focused on what brought them here, and they are looking for ways to give their children a better outcome, ”the judge said.

“I’m sure they will both use this therapeutic phrase to help themselves in relation to their family.”

There was a “link between life experiences and this crime” for both parents, Judge Maze said.

The father had fallen into a “major depression” after the death of his own father about three years ago and was disconnected from his cultural heritage due to his almost non-existent relationship with his mother.

Meanwhile, the mother had spent a “significant amount of time” in caring for children, youth, and families or foster homes; frequent changes in homes, schools and security left her with anxiety and limited coping skills.

Crown prosecutor Andrew McRae had argued that a judicial review should be imposed because there was “very little commitment” from the couple when they were offered support services.

Defense attorney Jay Lovely said the suggestion was a “very good idea” that would help the couple stay on track.

“They both love their kids and want to do better,” Lovely said.

“There is a cycle that must be broken.”

Judge Maze also sentenced the father for an unrelated matter, violating community service. He had 285 of the 300 hours of community work pending, a sentence that the judge canceled and replaced with two months of community detention.

“The curfew is from 9 pm to 5 am every day. This will allow you to seek employment and reduce pressure on the household. “