Abused toddler Nia Glassie dies

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LOST BATTLE: Nia Glassie, the Rotorua three-year-old who suffered horrific injuries in abuse allegedly carried out by those who cared for her, has died.

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The Rotorua three-year-old who suffered horrific injuries in abuse allegedly carried out by those who cared for her has died.

Nia Glassie died this afternoon, at 4.12pm, at Starship children's hospital in Auckland.

She had spent most of this week on a ventilator in a coma, after allegedly suffering months of horrific abuse.

Rotorua coroner Wallace Bain revealed that Nia had died.

Police said there would be a post mortem examination of Nia's body in Auckland tomorrow.

"Police investigations into the injuries sustained by Nia are continuing.

"Police will await the results of the post mortem examination before considering the next steps in this inquiry," said Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper in a statement today.

It is alleged the girl suffered abuse including being spun on a clothesline and put in a dryer.

Nia's maternal grandmother Polly Kuku from the Rotorua suburb of Koutu told TV One's Close Up she was surprised her granddaughter died.

"I thought she might pull through to be honest."

Nia was a lovely little girl, Ms Kuku said.

"She asked for nothing."

She said Nia was at peace.

Mrs Kuku said she had offered her daughter love, but because she also held her responsible for Nia's injuries, she would not comfort her.

"Surely there were some signs of something she could have seen and told us about, but she never said anything."

The case has sparked a national outcry about the level of child abuse within New Zealand.

Four people had appeared in court facing charges of assaulting Nia.

William Curtis, 47, has been charged with assaulting the child over a fourth month period, between March 1 and July 1.

He also faces a charge that he injured Nia with intent to cause grevious bodily harm.

His son Micheal William Curtis, 21, and nephew Michael Paul Pearson, 19, face a joint charge along with Oriwa Terrina Kemp, 17, of assaulting Nia between July 18 and July 20.

Kemp is Michael Curtis' girlfriend.

None of the four had entered a plea.

They are due to reappear in court on Wednesday for a bail hearing.

A fifth person, Wiremu Curtis, 17, the partner of Nia's 34-year-old mother, is due to appear in court on Monday.

- With NZPA

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